Scientists Grow Human Heart Tissue

Biomedia Report Term 4: Scientists grow Human Heart Tissue

Eli Tsakiris

This article explains how using stem cells, scientists have been able to recreate human heart tissue. A type of cell called an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) is used as a template to create the general heart tissue or MCP (precursor heart cells). These iPS were placed on a rat heart “scaffold”, which is not a living heart but a carbohydrate/protein outline of one, so the cells have a place to grow. In the experiment, the cells began to contract at 40-50 beats per minute after given time to grow. This heart like function was received as a huge success as this was the first creation of a pulsating heart tissue from stem cells. Although scientists have added the disclaimer that this success meant in no way that the lab was close to recreating an entire human heart, they do believe that with refinement, the iPS derived MCP method could be used to help reconstruct tissue damaged in a heart attack or similar disaster. When heart tissue is damaged in a heart attack, it does not regenerate or heal itself, this new ability to create heart muscle could allow surgeons to replace the destroyed muscle.

This related to our unit as we have learned about the function of the heart and also the potential importance of stem is research. Stem cells are cells that haven't specialized yet and can be used as a template to create whatever type of cell is required. Luckily, the iPS solved the moral problems we discussed. Formerly, the only way to obtain stem cells was to remove them from the human embryo which contradicted many peoples religious beliefs. Also, we talked about the dangers of heart disease, which is the problem these efforts are primarily aimed at. The article also talks about heart attacks, which we learned are the result of blood not getting to portions of the heart, and thus destroying it. In the Circulatory system group’s presentation, they talked about how there was no way for scientists to replace the damaged heart muscle, however this new process may be the start of a solution.

Read more at : http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/scientists-grow-human-heart-tissue-stem-cells-article-1.1428089