Growing human hearts: The answer is spinach leaves?

[Image from Worcester Polytechnic Institute]

We could soon be using spinach to grow human hearts, thanks to new research from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Arkansas State University.

One of the problems that researchers have faced is how to create a vascular system that can deliver blood deep into developing tissues. There hasn’t been much success with 3D printing vascular networks to provide the transportation for oxygen, nutrients and other essential molecules that allow for continued tissue growth.

Even though plants and animals transport fluids differently, they have similar vascular structures.

Get the full story on our sister site, Medical Design and Outsourcing. 

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