stable network of fine blood vessels
Yale biomedical engineers have created an implantable system that can form and stabilize a functional network of fine blood vessels critical for supporting tissues in the body, according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
For body tissue to survive it must receive oxygen delivered through the finest of blood vessels. This study -- led by Erin Lavik, assistant professor of biomedical engineering -- shows that the fine network of blood vessels can be formed artificially. Further, detailed microscopic studies showed that the vascular networks were stable as implants for up to six weeks and were able to connect with larger blood vessel structures.
"This expands our understanding of the neuro-vascular niche and opens up ways to address repair of severed nerves," says Joseph Madri, professor of pathology at the School of Medicine and a co-author of the report. "We can now study what affects the attraction and repulsion of nerve growth and drug delivery in a model system that can be used in vitro and in vivo."
The researchers used two important engineering enhancements to develop stable functional microcirculation. First, they created a "micro-scaffold" of a macroporous hydrogel polymer. The hydrogel is a three-dimensional, sponge-like material -- highly water-saturable, with a structure of connected pores for cells to grow on and through.
Second, they seeded the hydrogel scaffolds with endothelial cells that make up blood vessel structure along with nerve progenitor cells from the brain. Because there is often an association of nerve connections with vascular networks, the scientists tested to see if a combination of the blood vessel-forming and nerve-forming cells would enhance development of the vascular networks.
"By their nature, hydrogels are well suited for the transport of soluble factors, nutrients or drugs, and waste," says Lavik. "The hydrogel scaffold materials are generally highly biocompatible and safe to implant due to the presence of large volumes of water."
The research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and a gift from Richard and Gail Siegal. Co-authors on the study were Millicent C. Ford, James P. Bertram, Sara Royce Hynes, Michael Michaud, Qi Li and Steven S. Segal from Yale University and Michael Young from the Scheppens Eye Research Institute in Boston, Massachusetts.
-- By Janet Rettig Emanuel
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Patient care expert Paul Cleary named dean of public health
Gift will help expand music education for city students
Yale experts provide cancer information on 'Healthline'
Alumnus playwright debuts 'dance of the holy ghosts' at Yale Rep
Noted journalists to discuss media's role in international justice
Public service is focus of talk by former U.S. secretary of state
Library acquires the papers of artist and gay rights activist Harvey Fierstein
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT NEWS
Conference will explore challenges to providing quality healthcare
School hosts second delegation of Kazakhstan government leadersScientists say most human-chimp differences due to gene regulation
Events to mark guitarist's two decades of teaching
Yale biomedical engineers create stable network of fine blood vessels
Fortune magazine editor to deliver lecture on 'Power and Leadership'
Famed composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim to visit campus
Event to explore how Christians, Muslims view government
Event to explore executive power and its recent effects
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS
Disaster planning and recovery is focus of conference
Study: Turned head results in more serious whiplash
Researchers say frailty in elderly is preventable
Team finds bone marrow cells can convert to gut lining cells
Deleting specific gene in brain cells mimics effects of . . .
Trial to assess new treatment for auditory hallucinations
Keys to successful heart attack treatment identified
Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale to host 'Seeing Sinai' . . .
Survey shows that STARS alumni give program high marks
In Memoriam: Dr. Lawrence Brass
Celebration of the library's 75th anniversary continues . . .
Forum will explore issue of payment for forest ecosystem services
Free haircuts offered to those who donate to Locks of Love
Memorial service planned for Dr. Charles McKhann
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home