Creating flexible bioinks for printing small blood vessels
Stretchable Hydrogel Bioinks-Enabled Microfluidic Bioprinting of Functional Small-Diameter Blood Vessels
This study is working on creating special materials that can be used to 3D print tiny blood vessels, which could help improve treatments for heart-related issues by making artificial vessels that work like real ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10879065 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative bioinks that can be used in 3D bioprinting to create functional small-diameter blood vessels. By utilizing stretchable hydrogels, the project aims to overcome the limitations of traditional methods that struggle with complex vessel architectures. Patients may benefit from this technology as it could lead to improved treatments for cardiovascular diseases by enabling the creation of artificial blood vessels that mimic natural ones. The approach involves advanced microfluidic techniques to ensure that the printed vessels can effectively transport blood and integrate with the body’s existing vascular system.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cardiovascular diseases requiring vascular grafts or those needing surgical interventions involving blood vessels.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to blood vessel function or those who do not require vascular interventions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with new options for vascular grafts and treatments for cardiovascular conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research in tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting has shown promise in creating vascular structures, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Xuanhe — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Xuanhe
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.