Tissue

The human brain, it turns out, can be surprisingly resistant to the ravages of time.A new study has cataloged human brains that have been found on the archaeological record around the world and discovered that this remarkable organ resists decomposition far more than we thought – even when the rest of the body's soft tissues have completely melted away.Led by molecular taphonomist Alexandra Morton-Hayward of the University of Oxford, a team of scientists has identified more than 4,400 preserved human brains, dating back…

Fragments of brain from an individual buried in a Victorian workhouse cemetery (Bristol, UK), some 200 years ago. No other soft tissue survived among the bones, which were dredged from the heavily waterlogged grave. Credit: Alexandra L. Morton-Hayward Soft tissue preservation in the geological record is relatively rare, and except where deliberate intervention halts the process of decay (like embalming or freezing), the…

UC San Francisco is set to launch the first tissue bank for long COVID, following evidence that the virus persists in the body, potentially unlocking treatments. The initiative, backed by significant research and funding, aims to delve into the biological processes of long COVID, collaborating with specialists in various fields to advance understanding and treatment. Credit: SciTechDaily.comUC San Francisco is set to launch the world’s first tissue bank with samples donated by patients with long COVID. The move follows…

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a novel method to grow replacement tissue, such as cartilage, in the lab using a unique high-resolution 3D printing process that creates porous spheres for cell colonization. This technique allows for the assembly of these spheres into any shape, with cells combining to form a uniform, living tissue, overcoming previous challenges in controlling tissue shape and integration.TU Wien has pioneered a novel method for generating artificial tissue: Cells are grown in microstructures…

Confocal imaging demonstrating the dense network of capillary blood vessels in the lung that allow oxygen to move into our bloodstream. This complex vascular network can be severely disrupted upon viral infections like influenza and COVID-19, which greatly contributes to disease severity and mortality. Credit: Gan ZhaoRecent research reveals a breakthrough in lung repair, showing how delivering VEGFA via lipid nanoparticles can significantly repair damaged blood vessels, akin to plumbing repairs. This method, validated in…

Norwegian startup ClexBio is bioengineering human veins to implant inside a patient’s body. Together with CSEM, a Swiss R&D centre, the company has built a prototype bioreactor to grow the veins. Pre-clinical tests in animal models are already underway. Based on the early results, the team is confident that the implants don’t trigger an immune response in patients. Instead, they turn into functional tissue that integrates with the body. If further tests prove successful, the implants could…

A group of researchers working with the University of Wisconsin-Madison claim to have created the first 3D-printed human brain tissue that is actually functional. The group says it hopes that their research will open new doors for studying existing neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s.The researchers published their findings in a paper featured in Cell Stem Cell, detailing how they created the 3D-printed brain tissue using horizontal layers of “bio-ink” gel.“The tissue still has enough structure to hold…

Researchers have created the first functional 3D-printed brain tissue that can develop and form connections in the same way as real human brain tissue.This remarkable accomplishment by a team at the University of Wisconsin–Madison provides neuroscientists with a new tool for studying communication between brain cells and other parts of the human brain, potentially leading to better ways of treating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's."It could change the way we look at stem cell biology, neuroscience, and the…

Researchers have used a novel technique to 3D print brain tissue whose cells developed into functional neurons that communicated with each other in a matter of weeks. They say the approach could be used to study healthy and unhealthy brains, test drugs, or simply observe how the brain develops.Creating an organ as close as possible to the real thing is essential for research exploring disease pathology and testing new drugs. The brain presents particular challenges, including the fact that neurons grown in the lab have to…

Researchers have successfully regenerated functional bladder tissue in a baboon using the animal’s own bone marrow cells. With the organ working within a few months and staying healthy throughout the two-year study, the findings open the door to a novel treatment for severe bladder dysfunction for which treatment is currently limited.Certain conditions can affect the bladder, including spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, and malignancy, resulting in urine leakage, bladder stiffness, and loss of bladder capacity. The…