Genetically engineered fibers of the protein spidroin, which
is the construction material for spider webs, has proven to be a perfect
substrate for cultivating heart tissue cells, MIPT researchers found. They
discuss their findings in an article that has recently come out in the journal
PLOS ONE.
The cultivation of organs and tissues from a patient’s cells
is the bleeding edge of medical research – regenerative methods can solve the
problem of transplant rejection. However,it’s quite a challenge to find a
suitable frame, or substrate, to grow cells on. The material should be
non-toxic and elastic andshould not be rejected by the body or impede cell
growth.