Abdominal wall defects are no joke. They can lead to serious health issues. So, finding a good way to fix them is a big deal. Usually, doctors use patches made from polymers. But these can cause problems like inflammation and rejection by the body. That's where the Silk@Extracellular Matrix (S@ECM) patch comes in. It's made from silk and the body's own natural glue, ...
In the realm of tissue engineering, scientists are exploring new ways to create living replacements for damaged tissues. These engineered tissues aim to help the body heal itself. However, there are challenges. Custom-made tissues can be expensive and take time to create. Plus, they might not work as well for every patient. One promising approach is to use materials...
The need for organ transplants and accurate tissue models has pushed the field of tissue engineering into the spotlight. This area focuses on creating tissues and organs outside the body, which is crucial for regenerative medicine. One exciting development is the creation of artificial intervertebral discs (IVDs). These discs must meet strict mechanical and biologica...
Colon cancer can be particularly troublesome when it leads to blockages in the colon. This type of cancer is characterized by increased tumor budding and the presence of myofibroblasts, which are cells involved in tissue repair. The blockages are often due to changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), the scaffold that holds cells together. The ECM is crucial for ti...
The spread of serous ovarian cancer, or SOC, is a complex process. It involves the interaction between cancer cells and the surrounding tissue, or stroma. This stroma includes both the extracellular matrix (ECM) and various cellular components, like cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These interactions are crucial for the cancer's ability to invade and metastas...
Ever wondered why some people experience heart issues after recovering from COVID-19? Scientists are on the case, trying to uncover how the virus might harm heart tissue. One important factor is something called vascular fibrosis, which is like scarring in the blood vessels. This scarring can disrupt blood flow and cause problems. Another interesting piece of the puz...