Development Of Artificial Organs Research Articles

Immobilization: the promising technique to protect and increase the efficiency of microorganisms to remove contaminants

AbstractBiodegradation of pollutants is one of the most economical methods for their removal and usually is accompanied by no production of toxic by‐products. In general, this approach is favored over others because it offers reduced expenses and the potential for complete mineralization. In order to enhance the viability and longevity of the bioremediation agents within polluted areas, it becomes necessary to immobilize the cells. Cell immobilization refers to the procedure of confining intact cells to specific areas within a device or material, without compromising their essential biological functions. A wide variety of carriers and approaches have been used for the restriction of various cells. Immobilization techniques, such as microencapsulation, have opened up new possibilities in biotechnology by facilitating the development of artificial organs, cell therapies and drug delivery systems. Researchers have found promising outcomes in various applications through the immobilization of microorganisms. This approach enhances stability, reusability and catalytic efficiency, making immobilization a valuable strategy for biocatalysis, bioremediation and other biotechnological processes. Notably, the use of immobilized microorganisms has led to significant improvements in the removal of pollutants, with some studies achieving 100% efficiency. When comparing the degradation of pollutants between free and immobilized microorganisms over the same time period, the results demonstrated that immobilized microorganisms achieved a removal efficiency >21% more than that of free microbial consortia. The primary objective of this review is to give an overview of the key scientific aspects related to bioremediation of various pollutants using immobilized cells, with a particular focus on the techniques used to entrap the cells. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Origami‐Patterned Rigidification for Soft Robotic Bifurcation

The fluid‐transportation functions based on the volume‐regulating behavior of the chamber‐like organs inspire the development of artificial organs. Due to the intrinsic compliance of soft robotics for biomimicking purposes and the volume‐regulation capability of the 3D origami patterns, the soft robots with origami patterns show promising potential in such research. However, the folding deformation of the origami facets cannot be straightforwardly implemented as the actuation or the body movement, and the predetermined movements of the pattern limit the appropriate functions for specific applications. In this work, an origami‐patterned rigidification (OPR) method is proposed for applying rigid origami mechanisms (herein, the cuboctahedron origami ball) to the chamber‐like structure of soft robots. The motion of the soft robot is programmed by purposefully rigidified the soft chamber following the pattern. The resultant OPR structures are granted with functions corresponding to the predetermined motion of the pattern, and the expanded movements through the bifurcation brought by the soft–rigid characteristics. The concept, design, and fabrication of the OPR robot are presented. By analyzing the deformation of the soft creases, the kinematic models of the predetermined and expanded degrees of freedom are presented and verified by experiments. The extended functions of two OPR robots are demonstrated.

Novel Fabrication of 3-D Cell Laden Micro-Patterned Porous Structure on Cell Growth and Proliferation by Layered Manufacturing.

This study focuses on developing and characterizing a novel 3-dimensional cell-laden micro-patterned porous structure from a mechanical engineering perspective. Tissue engineering holds great promise for repairing damaged organs but faces challenges related to cell viability, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength. This research aims to overcome these limitations by utilizing gelatin methacrylate hydrogel as a scaffold material and employing a photolithography technique for precise patterned fabrication. The mechanical properties of the structure are of particular interest in this study. We evaluate its ability to withstand external forces through compression tests, which provide insights into its strength and stability. Additionally, structural integrity is assessed over time to determine its performance in in vitro and potential in vivo environments. We investigate cell viability and proliferation within the micro-patterned porous structure to evaluate the biological aspects. MTT assays and immunofluorescence staining are employed to analyze the metabolic activity and distribution pattern of cells, respectively. These assessments help us understand the effectiveness of the structure in supporting cell growth and tissue regeneration. The findings of this research contribute to the field of tissue engineering and provide valuable insights for mechanical engineers working on developing scaffolds and structures for regenerative medicine. By addressing challenges related to cell viability, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength, we move closer to realizing clinically viable tissue engineering solutions. The novel micro-patterned porous structure holds promise for applications in artificial organ development and lays the foundation for future advancements in large soft tissue construction.

Application of Hydrogel in Artificial Organs

Hydrogels with excellent biological properties are highly suited for usage as bionic materials for artificial organs, which is crucial to the development of artificial organs. As a novel bionic material, hydrogel offers a wide range of medical applications. Recent advances in hydrogel research have led to a further refinement of the technology by fitting various hydrogels to various artificial organs in order to reach an optimal fit. Due to the vast array of medical uses, many evaluations choose to examine the development of hydrogels in the context of the biomedical field as a whole. However, the research in the refined medical area is equally worthy of consideration and summation. This paper provides a brief introduction to the necessary properties and preparation methods of hydrogel medical materials, highlights the application of hydrogel medical bionic materials in various artificial organs, and presents some challenges of the current hydrogel, offering new ideas and methods for the development of artificial organs in the future.

Three dimensional printable multi‐arms poly(CL‐co‐TOSUO) for resilient biodegradable elastomer

AbstractThe development of artificial organs and implants demands new materials with both processability and functionality. A series of star like poly(CL‐co‐TOSUO) copolymers with different molecular weights are synthesized via ring‐opening polymerization. The polymers are modified with norbornene end groups for rapid photo‐crosslinking. Due to the random insertion of 1,4,8‐trioxaspiro‐[4,6]‐9‐undecanone and well‐constructed permanent chemical network, the photo‐crosslinked elastomers are more flexible and resilient than conventional poly(ε‐caprolactone), with 84% resilience above the melting point. Their thermal and mechanical properties can be fine‐tuned by varying the molecular weights of the precursors. The polymer can be fabricated into complex shapes by digital light processing 3D printing. Combined with good cytocompatibility and degradability, the highly flexible elastomers show great potential for tissue engineering.

Towards Techno-human: A Brief History of Artificial Limbs and Organs

Background: The ‘techno-human’, which is the result of combining the human body with a machine or device which we have been made familiar with through science fiction movies, is frequently perceived as a distant and futuristic concept. However, when we examine history, we realize that the techno-human is not a phenomenon unique to the future or the present, but rather has a long and significant history dating all the way back to antiquity.Objective: This study aims to detail the progression of techno-humans from antiquity to the present, by focusing on the historical development of artificial limbs and organs.Methods: In this study, a literature review ranging from the earliest examples of the human body meeting technology to today’s complex and functional artificial limb and organ technologies was conducted, and the information gathered through retrospective review of primary and secondary sources was evaluated.Results and Discussion: It is seen that people who lost their limbs as a result of amputation or disease have been using prostheses, albeit primitive, since ancient times. Today, advances in technology such as CAD/CAM and 3D printer technologies enable the production of prostheses from lighter materials and at a faster rate. Contrary to the long history of artificial limbs dating to antiquity, the development of artificial organs only began recently, during the 20th century. Artificial limbs and organs, with the use of more advanced technology, have the potential to be utilized for human enhancement in the future.Conclusion: While prostheses, implants, and complexly built artificial organs make the human body more technological and less biological, a new stage in the biography of the techno-human in which ‘enhancement’ rather than ‘treatment’ is at the forefront pushes the limits.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 06 No. 03 July’22 Page: 249-257

Monitoring a bioengineering class in a professional engineering specialization: is there concatenation of learning?

This paper presents the follow-up of a bioengineering class within a professional engineering specialization, whose objective is to analyze whether this integration makes sense academically. The class presents special applications of automation, being bioengineering and energy management. Its main objective is to present particular ways of applying automation concepts, their particular fundamentals (of each area) and the similarities of this kind of special project. Bioengineering refers to the application of the techniques and methods of engineering and exact sciences in the development of artificial organs and auxiliary devices of biological systems. The following analysis strategies were used: (i) ratio of grades obtained from the students of the class; (ii) impressions of two students of the class; and (iii) impression of two professors of the class. Based on the pass results, students' feedback and the report of the professors involved in the class, it is possible to state that the bioengineering class did not have any negative influence within the students' education. Moreover, it may have had a positive performance by: (i) reinforcing the assimilation of scientific methodology in students; (ii) presenting special automation applications that may have expanded the student's professional prospection; and (iii) stimulating the emergence of new engineering solutions within medicine.

A focused review on three-dimensional bioprinting technology for artificial organ fabrication.

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology has attracted a great deal of interest because it can be easily adapted to many industries and research sectors, such as biomedical, manufacturing, education, and engineering. Specifically, 3D bioprinting has provided significant advances in the medical industry, since such technology has led to significant breakthroughs in the synthesis of biomaterials, cells, and accompanying elements to produce composite living tissues. 3D bioprinting technology could lead to the immense capability of replacing damaged or injured tissues or organs with newly dispensed cell biomaterials and functional tissues. Several types of bioprinting technology and different bio-inks can be used to replicate cells and generate supporting units as complex 3D living tissues. Bioprinting techniques have undergone great advancements in the field of regenerative medicine to provide 3D printed models for numerous artificial organs and transplantable tissues. This review paper aims to provide an overview of 3D-bioprinting technologies by elucidating the current advancements, recent progress, opportunities, and applications in this field. It highlights the most recent advancements in 3D-bioprinting technology, particularly in the area of artificial organ development and cancer research. Additionally, the paper speculates on the future progress in 3D-bioprinting as a versatile foundation for several biomedical applications.

Osteogenesis of 3D-Printed PCL/TCP/bdECM Scaffold Using Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Aggregates; An Experimental Study in the Canine Mandible.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is perceived as an innovative tool for change in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine based on research outcomes on the development of artificial organs and tissues. With advances in such technology, research is underway into 3D-printed artificial scaffolds for tissue recovery and regeneration. In this study, we fabricated artificial scaffolds by coating bone demineralized and decellularized extracellular matrix (bdECM) onto existing 3D-printed polycaprolactone/tricalcium phosphate (PCL/TCP) to enhance osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity. After injecting adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in an aggregate form found to be effective in previous studies, we examined the effects of the scaffold on ossification during mandibular reconstruction in beagle dogs. Ten beagles were divided into two groups: group A (PCL/TCP/bdECM + ADSC injection; n = 5) and group B (PCL/TCP/bdECM; n = 5). The results were analyzed four and eight weeks after intervention. Computed tomography (CT) findings showed that group A had more diffuse osteoblast tissue than group B. Evidence of infection or immune rejection was not detected following histological examination. Goldner trichrome (G/T) staining revealed rich ossification in scaffold pores. ColI, Osteocalcin, and Runx2 gene expressions were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Group A showed greater expression of these genes. Through Western blotting, group A showed a greater expression of genes that encode ColI, Osteocalcin, and Runx2 proteins. In conclusion, intervention group A, in which the beagles received the additional ADSC injection together with the 3D-printed PCL/TCP coated with bdECM, showed improved mandibular ossification in and around the pores of the scaffold.

Small Molecule Epigenetic Modulators in Pure Chemical Cell Fate Conversion.

Although innovative technologies for somatic cell reprogramming and transdifferentiation provide new strategies for the research of translational medicine, including disease modeling, drug screening, artificial organ development, and cell therapy, recipient safety remains a concern due to the use of exogenous transcription factors during induction. To resolve this problem, new induction approaches containing clinically applicable small molecules have been explored. Small molecule epigenetic modulators such as DNA methylation writer inhibitors, histone methylation writer inhibitors, histone acylation reader inhibitors, and histone acetylation eraser inhibitors could overcome epigenetic barriers during cell fate conversion. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in reprogramming and transdifferentiation of somatic cells with small molecule approaches. In the present review, we systematically discuss recent achievements of pure chemical reprogramming and transdifferentiation.

Novel Strategies in Artificial Organ Development: What Is the Future of Medicine?

The technology of tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field of science that elevates cell-based research from 2D cultures through organoids to whole bionic organs. 3D bioprinting and organ-on-a-chip approaches through generation of three-dimensional cultures at different scales, applied separately or combined, are widely used in basic studies, drug screening and regenerative medicine. They enable analyses of tissue-like conditions that yield much more reliable results than monolayer cell cultures. Annually, millions of animals worldwide are used for preclinical research. Therefore, the rapid assessment of drug efficacy and toxicity in the early stages of preclinical testing can significantly reduce the number of animals, bringing great ethical and financial benefits. In this review, we describe 3D bioprinting techniques and first examples of printed bionic organs. We also present the possibilities of microfluidic systems, based on the latest reports. We demonstrate the pros and cons of both technologies and indicate their use in the future of medicine.

Alginate@TiO2 hybrid microcapsules as a reservoir of beta INS-1E cells with controlled insulin delivery

Designing biocompatible materials to encapsulate xenogeneic insulin-releasing β-cells for transplantation has been considered as a promising alternative to avoid the immunosuppression and drawbacks of the treatment of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) by direct islet transplantation. The current work for the first time studied a hybrid alginate@TiO2 microcapsule as a reservoir for rat insulinoma-derived INS-1E cells, as a β-cell surrogate, towards the treatment of T1D. The hybrid microcapsule is composed of an alginate core as a biocompatible matrix for cell encapsulation and a crack-free TiO2 shell as a semipermeable membrane to prevent cell leakage, protect encapsulated cells from immune attacks, as well as allow the diffusion of nutrients and the secretion of insulin. Compared to most-commonly used pure alginate microcapsules, the insulin-secreting INS-1E cells encapsulated in our alginate@TiO2 microcapsules revealed higher metabolic activity and maintained the insulin secretion over more than 6 weeks. This study highlights that our designed alginate@TiO2 hybrid microcapsules can serve as an ideal reservoir for cell encapsulation towards the treatment of T1D, thus further promoting the development of artificial organs for cell therapy.

Future development of artificial organs related with cutting edge emerging technology and their regulatory assessment: PMDA's perspective.

Future development of innovative artificial organs is closely related with cutting edge emerging technology. These technologies include brain machine or computer interface, organs made by three dimensional bioprinting, organs designed from induced-pluripotent stem cell for personalized tissue or organ, and xenotransplantation. To bridge the gap between scientific innovation and regulatory product review, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of Japan (PMDA) started the science board to discuss about the new scientific topics regarding medical products including medical device and regenerative products with external experts since 2012. Topics which PMDA raised for science board included cellular and tissue-based products from iPS cells, artificial intelligence and genome editing technology. In addition, PMDA started the horizon scanning to identify a new cutting edge technology which could potentially lead to innovative health technology or product, which has a strong impact on clinical medicine. Although the effectiveness and safety of the medical products must be reasonably assured before clinical use, PMDA introduced Sakigake review assignment (a review partner of device development) and conditional approval system to balance between pre-market and post-market evaluation.

What will the future hold for artificial organs in the service of assisted reproduction: prospects and considerations.

Assisted reproduction provides a wide spectrum of treatments and strategies addressing infertility. However, distinct groups of infertile patients with unexplained infertility, congenital disorders, and other complex cases pose a challenge in in vitro fertilization (IVF) practices. This special cohort of patients is associated with futile attempts, IVF overuse, and dead ends in management. Cutting edge research on animal models introduced this concept, along with the development of artificial organs with the aim to mimic the respective physiological functions in reproduction. Extrapolation on clinical application leads to the future use of infertility management in humans. To date, the successful clinical application of artificial reproductive organs in humans is not feasible because further animal model studies are required prior to clinical trials. The application of these artificial organs could provide a solution to infertility cases with no other options. This manuscript presents an overview on the current status, future prospects, and considerations on the potential clinical application of artificial ovary, uterus, and gametes in humans. This paper presents how the IVF practice landscape may be shaped and challenged in the future, along with the subsequent concerns in assisted reproductive treatments.

Do endothelial cells hold the key to success?

Regeneration Endothelial cells line the inner vascular wall, and their phenotype and behavior can vary according to the organ in which they are situated and the environment. Not only do endothelial cells form the barrier of vessel walls, they also can participate in signaling with the surrounding tissue to promote regeneration and growth. In a Perspective, Gomez-Salinero and Rafii discuss how endothelial cells contribute to wound healing, regeneration, and disease states, such as cancer, and how our growing understanding of endothelial cell plasticity might advance regenerative medicine and the development of artificial organs for transplant. Science , this issue p. [1116][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aar4800

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products: A Guide for Bone Marrow-derived MSC Application in Bone and Cartilage Tissue Engineering.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from trauma- or age-related orthopedic diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or cancer. Tissue Engineering (TE) and Regenerative Medicine are multidisciplinary fields focusing on the development of artificial organs, biomimetic engineered tissues, and cells to restore or maintain tissue and organ function. While allogenic and future autologous transplantations are nowadays the gold standards for both cartilage and bone defect repair, they are both subject to important limitations such as availability of healthy tissue, donor site morbidity, and graft rejection. Tissue engineered bone and cartilage products represent a promising and alternative approach with the potential to overcome these limitations. Since the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) such as TE products requires the knowledge of diverse regulation and an extensive communication with the national/international authorities, the aim of this review is therefore to summarize the state of the art on the clinical applications of human bone marrow-derived stromal cells for cartilage and bone TE. In addition, this review provides an overview of the European legislation to facilitate the development and commercialization of new ATMPs.

Structure and thermal properties of porous polylactic acid membranes prepared via phase inversion induced by hot water droplets

In this study, water droplets generated using an ultrasonic atomizer at room temperature were replaced with water droplets heated to a high temperature (further denoted as hot water droplets) by an electrical heating steam generator during the preparation of porous membranes via phase inversion to reduce the amount of consumed water and fabrication time. As a result, porous polylactic acid (PLA) membranes were successfully prepared, and their microstructure and physical properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Further, the effect of the PLA concentration on the morphology and thermal properties of the produced membranes was investigated. The application of hot water droplets significantly improved the exchange rate between the solvent and non-solvent phases, which increased the average pore diameter. Increasing the PLA concentration decreased the pore diameter, and the produced pores became irregular due to the decrease in the mobility of PLA molecules. At the same time, the higher PLA concentrations also increased the thermal stability and crystallinity of the porous membranes which were fabricated without using any toxic coagulants has and thus could be potentially used in tissue engineering and artificial organ development.

Dual pore network polymer foams for biomedical applications via combined solid state foaming and additive manufacturing

Dual pore network polymer foams are categorized as foams having two interconnected pore networks of varying sizes. Potential applications of these foams are in the biomedical field for artificial organ development and high throughput drug testing. In this study, a cost effective and scalable processing technique for fabrication of dual pore network polymer foams via solid state foaming of additively manufactured templates is presented. Initially, a polymer template with either circular or hexagonal features is additively manufactured with the spacing between the features forming the first porous network. The second porous network is obtained by subjecting the additively manufactured template to solid state foaming. The resulting foams have porosity in excess of 80% with the pore sizes in the larger and smaller pore network on the order of 200 µm and 50 µm respectively.

Research progress of the cell microencapsulation

Cell microencapsulation aims to wrap the living target cells by one or several materials with good biological compatibility and semipermeable membrane properties. Cell microencapsulation not only can achieve immune isolation and prevent the attacks by macromolecular immunes and immune cells, but also can allow the free access of metabolites, small molecule nutrients and bioactive substances to the microcapsule. With the continuous progress of interdisciplinary technologies, cell microencapsulation shows increasing application prospects of making up a variety of limitations of organ transplantation. Moreover, with the development and maturation of cell microencapsulation, it has shown a strong advantage in regenerative medicine, which will certainly promote the rapid development of artificial cells and artificial organs. In this paper, the preparation of cell microcapsules, the effects of the outer membrane of microcapsules on immunological macromolecules and cytokines, the immunogenicity of the outer membrane, and the representative applications of cell microencapsulation were summarized. Key words: Cell microencapsulation; Immune isolation; Cytokines; Organ transplantation

The development of artificial organs and prostheses worldwide and in the Ottoman Empire.

An artificial organ or prosthesis is a man-made device that is implanted or integrated into a human to replace a natural organ. There were many historical steps in the development of artificial organs and prostheses. New surgical techniques, the development of prosthetic materials and the creative ideas of engineers led to progress in this field.