UCSB Team Develops Algae Gel for Growing Complex Tissues and Organs
A team led by Ryan Stowers, PhD, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UCSB, has published a study in Science Advances. The research introduces an algae-based gel that mimics the basement membrane, supporting normal mammary gland tissue development and offering potential for growing complex organs and tissues from patient cells.
The study, with Jane Baude, a graduate student in the Stowers lab, as the first author, explores how adjusting the gel's mechanical and biochemical properties can influence animal cell behavior in varying environments. The gel's stiffness and response to force can be modified, allowing researchers to study cell growth and development in different conditions.
Stiffer surroundings have been linked to tumor development in previous studies. The new gel, optimized with mechanical and biochemical cues, can contribute to cell development and control animal cell growth. The researchers aim to use this gel to grow complex organs and tissues from patient cells, potentially revolutionizing regenerative medicine.
The study, a collaboration between UCSB and other universities, presents an innovative algae-based gel that mimics the basement membrane. By adjusting its mechanical and biochemical properties, researchers can study animal cell behavior and growth in different environments. The gel's potential in growing complex organs and tissues from patient cells offers exciting prospects for the future of regenerative medicine.
Read also:
- Is it advisable to utilize your personal health insurance in a publicly-funded medical facility?
- Dietary strategies for IBS elimination: Aims and execution methods
- Benefits, suitable dosage, and safety considerations for utilizing pumpkin seed oil in treating an overactive bladder
- Harmful Medical Remedies: A Misguided Approach to Healing
