Spanish Researchers Develop 'Cellular Origami' to Program Tissue Shapes for Regenerative Medicine
Spanish researchers from the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), and the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (Cimne) have achieved a significant breakthrough in bioengineering. Published in the journal Science, their study introduces a novel strategy termed 'cellular origami,' which allows scientists to program living tissues to adopt specific three-dimensional shapes. By controlling the orientation of cells within a flat monolayer, the team can direct the mechanical forces generated by the cells themselves, causing the tissue to fold into predetermined structures. This method mimics natural biological processes, such as the formation of intestinal villi, but applies them in a controlled laboratory setting. The research aims to decode the physical laws governing tissue morphogenesis, moving beyond observational studies of embryonic development to active design. This advancement holds profound implications for regenerative medicine, potentially enabling the creation of synthetic living materials to repair damaged organs. Additionally, the technology opens new avenues for biohybrid robotics, where programmed tissues could serve as functional components. The study represents a major step forward in understanding and manipulating the physical instructions required to shape biological matter.
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Spanish Researchers Develop 'Cellular Origami' to Program Tissue Shapes for Regenerative Medicine
Spanish researchers from the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), and the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (Cimne) have achieved a significant breakthrough in bioengineering. Published in the journal Science, their study introduces a novel strategy termed 'cellular origami,' which allows scientists to program living tissues to adopt specific three-dimensional shapes. By controlling the orientation of cells within a flat monolayer, the team can direct the mechanical forces generated by the cells themselves, causing the tissue to fold into predetermined structures. This method mimics natural biological processes, such as the formation of intestinal villi, but applies them in a controlled laboratory setting. The research aims to decode the physical laws governing tissue morphogenesis, moving beyond observational studies of embryonic development to active design. This advancement holds profound implications for regenerative medicine, potentially enabling the creation of synthetic living materials to repair damaged organs. Additionally, the technology opens new avenues for biohybrid robotics, where programmed tissues could serve as functional components. The study represents a major step forward in understanding and manipulating the physical instructions required to shape biological matter.
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