Repairing human hearts with biomaterials

The biomaterial extracellular matrix (ECM) is a naturally occurring substance that helps regulate cells and can be harvested and processed in such a way that removes all cells, leaving only the structural matrix, which is made of collagen. ECM can be molded into a “bioscaffold” for medical applications to enable a patient’s cells to repopulate […]

The biomaterial extracellular matrix (ECM) is a naturally occurring substance that helps regulate cells and can be harvested and processed in such a way that removes all cells, leaving only the structural matrix, which is made of collagen.
ECM can be molded into a “bioscaffold” for medical applications to enable a patient’s cells to repopulate and repair damaged tissue.
“Pathology results revealed that the bioscaffold had remodeled into viable, fully cellularized tissue similar to the native pericardium,” said Meghan.
“Essentially, the human body regrew its own tissue. Anytime you can have the body regrow its own tissue instead of introducing a foreign object into it is a better outcome for the patient.”