Cardiac Muscle Cells on 3D Silk Framework

German scientists have managed to load cardiac muscle cells on to a 3D framework made up of Tasar silk that is produced by a tropical silkworm. Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research tested out a number of different fibers but were unable to produce a sturdy framework.

According to lead researcher Felix Engel, the frameworks were either too brittle, attacked by the immune system or did not enable the heart muscle cells to adhere correctly to the fibers.

The researchers then used the silk produced by Tasar silkworm and managed to successfully load cardiac muscle cells on to the framework. “The surface (of the fiber) has protein structures that facilitate the adhesion of heart muscle cells. It`s also coarser than other silk fibers”, said Chinmoy Patra, who also worked on the project.


Source-Medindia