Researchers from mass general brigham and collaborating institutions have developed a non-invasive approach to manipulate cardiac tissue activity by using light to stimulate an innovat UE. Their goal is to develop a technique that can be used to repair the heart. Their findings in preclinical models, Published in Science AdvancesShow the transformative potential of non-invasive therapeutic methods to Control Electrically Active Tissues.

“We showed for the first time that with this optoelectronical active ink, we can print scaffolds that allows that allowance control of enginered heart tissues,” said co-corresponding author of the division of engineering in medicine At Brigham and Women’s Hospital, A Founding Member of the Mass General Brigham Health Care System. “This Approach Paves The Way for Non-Invasive Light Stimulation, Tissue Regeemation, and Host Integration Capabilites in Cardiac Therapy and Beyond.”

Three-dimensional bioprinted tissues composed of cells and other body-compensable materials are a powerful emerging tool to repair damaged heart tissue. But most bioprinted tissues cannot generate the Necessary Electrical Activity for Cellular Function. They must instead relay on invasive wire and electrode placement to control heart activity, which can damage body tissues.

Zhang and his colleagues addressed this limitation by infusing the bioprinted tissue with the “optoelectronically active” Ink that can be remotely stimulated by light to generate Electrical Activity in TheSE Tisses. The authors also showed that these new, dynamic engineered tissues can synchronize with and accelerate the heart rate when when stimulated by light in preclinical models.

“Now that we have estimated the proof-of-concept for this technology, we are shifting our Efforts Towards understanding The heart’s biology, “said zhang.