The Delft University of Technology found a new, exciting way to help bodily tissues to regenerate in the form of geometry. Professor dr. Amir Zadpoor found that tissues regenerate better depending on the curvature of the environments of the tissues.
The question of regenerating tissue is very important in modern medicine. It is the key to a less invasive way to heal patients. It could possibly lead to the cure of degenerative diseases. As Prof. dr. Zaapoor explains, most approaches rely on biology and chemistry, however, geometry can also be part of this discussion. By doing so, taking the fundamentals of curvature could bring about cheap and efficient solutions to help tissues regenerate.
.@sebacallens @amir_zadpoor and colleagues study the organization of bone cells in landscapes with varying curvatures, observing a preference for local concavities, multicellular bridging, and collective stress fiber orientationhttps://t.co/45U9c5W0o5
— Nature Communications (@NatureComms) March 6, 2023
Curvature to the rescue
Geometry is “easy, safe and inexpensive” and you don’t need a patent to use it, reminds Professor dr. Zapoor. This is why his team aims to take advantage of one of the three forms of curvature: plate, curvature, or saddle. Studying these fundamentals in light of regenerative medicine can help in finding a way to encourage new tissues to grow.
According to the results of the study, cells have a favorite geometrical form to grow in. Bone-like cells “prefer to grow on concave substrates and on local concave regions of the convex substrates”. These findings are key to better 3D printed scaffolds that are being developed in order to encourage cells to grow by themselves, rather than using a graft for example.
1) Cells feel and respond to geometry, particularly curvature. Depending on the geometrical features of their environment they may be encouraged or discouraged to make new tissue. See our related press release!https://t.co/JqHtz0vO38
— Amir A Zadpoor (@amir_zadpoor) March 3, 2023
Of course, there are still limitations to this study. There is a definite amount of negative curvature in any geometrical shape. If used wisely, it can maximize cell growth in those environments. Yet, these findings by Delft University open new possibilities for cell regeneration. This could open a new way of treating organ damage, just like 3D printing did.
YouTube: New tool for organ repair: curvature of the environment
Photo credit: The feature image has been taken by Gabriele Zocchi.
