Fluorescent Mesh Aids Tissue Regrowth
Polymer fibers provide a mesh for tissue growth that can be monitored through near-infrared fluorescence imaging.
Originally developed for solar cells, the material, called TQ1, exhibits fluorescent lifetimes in the subnanosecond range, which is optimal for in situ imaging, according to a team of Swedish researchers.
TQ1 fibers (red) with live embryonic chicken heart muscle cells (green). Courtesy of Daniel Aili and Abeni Wickham/Linköping University.
This could make the fibers valuable in regenerative medicine, where damaged organs and tissue are replaced with new tissue grown from the recipient's own body.
The researchers tested TQ1 with chicken and mouse cells and found no toxic effects. In longer-term tests in rats, the material caused limited inflammation but also appeared to stimulate the growth of blood vessels necessary for tissue survival.
"On top of that, the fibers are fluorescent and glow in a wavelength range where we can see and follow the implant in the tissue," said Daniel Aili, a senior lecturer at Linköping University. "Until now, there has been a problem with soft biomaterials, in that we have not been able to see how they integrate with living cells and tissue, and what happens with the material over time."
The fluorescent properties of the material allow its interactions with the tissue to be imaged for up to 90 days.
The research was published
Advanced Functional Materials (doi:
10.1002/adfm.201500351).
For more information, visit
www.liu.se
LATEST NEWS
- Imager Captures Amplitude, Phase Info Without Digital Processing
Jun 19, 2024
- Ayar Labs Adds Vice President: People in the News: 6/19/24
Jun 19, 2024
- Canon to Produce Coating Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells
Jun 19, 2024
- OIF Project to Address 224G Full Linear Optical Modules
Jun 18, 2024
- Programmable Sensor Provides Fast, High-Quality Imaging of Neural Changes
Jun 18, 2024
- Photon Emission Control for Quantum Applications Sets Precision Record
Jun 17, 2024
- Constantin Häfner Adds Boards Responsibilities at Fraunhofer
Jun 17, 2024
- Vector Photonics Receives Total $3.7M for Laser Commercialization: Week in Brief: 6/14/24
Jun 14, 2024