Researchers at McGill University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering have discovered a simple and low-cost method to engineer living materials such as tissues, organs, and blood clots. By applying controlled vibrations to these materials as they form, scientists can influence their strength or weakness. The technique uses a speaker to gently agitate the materials, allowing cells to organize and form stronger or weaker structures. The method has been tested on various cell-laden materials, including blood-based gels and tissues, and has been shown to work in animal tests without harming surrounding healthy tissues. The potential applications of this technique include organ transplants, wound healing, and regenerative medicine. The researchers believe that this method could be integrated into advanced medical devices or wound-healing techniques, and could lead to the development of portable medical devices, such as a hand-held tool to stop bleeding or a smart bandage that speeds up healing. Further testing is required before the method can be used in real-life medical settings.
Scientists at McGill University have created a groundbreaking method using controlled vibrations to enhance the quality of lab-cultured tissues in a safe and efficient manner.
