In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Lukas Weidenbacher explains how the process his research team developed works, describes where it will be used and illustrates why there is still a long way before a fully implantable artificial heart can be created in the laboratory.
Mr. Weidenbacher, how did you manage to create muscle fibers that grow in multiple layers?
Lukas Weidenbacher: We basically used a combination of two well-known scientific methods. We combined electrospinning, which allows you to create fine synthetic fibers and cell electrospraying. This enabled us to create multilayered constructs made of cells and synthetic fibers. Alternately, layers of synthetic fibers are first created via the electrospinning process and subsequently, muscle fibers are "sprayed" into the pores of the spun scaffold to obtain a hybrid, multilayered construct.
How does electrospraying work exactly?
Weidenbacher: During this process, we encase the cells with a type of protective capsule made of gelatin. We then use an electric field with positive and negative charge, as we did before during the electrospinning process. With the help of a spraying device, a dispersion with the coated cells is transported into the electric field. The individual liquid particles are subsequently sprayed via the positive charge in the direction of the negative charge. In doing so, they are transported to their destination in the pores of the polymer scaffold. Once there, the gelatin capsule dissolves within minutes. The cells begin to interlace and form elongated muscle fibers, so-called myotubes.