News

June 15, 2020

Researchers take a step closer to 3D printing living tissues in patients

(LOS ANGELES) – In the TV series Westworld, human body parts are built on robotic frames using 3D printers.  While still far from this scenario, 3D printers are being increasingly used in medicine.  For example, 3D printing can be used to produce parts of the body such as orthopedic joints and prosthetics, as well as portions of bone, skin and blood vessels.  However, the majority of these tissues are created in an apparatus outside of the body and surgically implanted.  Such a procedure may involve making large surgical incisions, posing the added risk of infection and increased recovery time for the patient.  And since there is a time lapse between when the tissue is created and when it is implanted in the patient, further complications may occur.  To prevent these complications, a team of scientists have developed a technology to print tissues directly in the body.

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June 9, 2020

Small and minimally invasive “Detachable Microneedle Depots” effectively deliver stem cells for localized MSC therapy of skin disorders

(LOS ANGELES) — Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent in that they naturally replenish the cell types that build our bone, cartilage and adipose tissues. However, their much broader regenerative potential, based on their capacity to migrate and engraft in injured tissues and secrete factors that enhance the formation of new blood vessels, suppress inflammation and cell death, and promote healing, makes them exquisite candidates for cell-based therapies for diseases as varied as cardiovascular, liver, bone and cartilage diseases, lung and spinal cord injuries, autoimmune diseases and even cancer and skin lesions.

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May 27, 2020

Researchers at the Terasaki Institute enhance tool for extraction of samples used in monitoring patient health

(LOS ANGELES) – The interstitial fluid is a major component of the liquid environment in the body and fills the spaces between the body’s cells.  In contrast, blood circulates only within the circulatory vessels of the body and is composed of blood cells and the liquid part of the blood, plasma.  Both fluids contain special components called biomarkers, which are valuable indicators of bodily health.  These biomarkers include various types of molecules such as proteins, hormones or DNA, and can also include drugs and metabolites.

When monitoring patient health, the standard source for the measurement of biomarkers is blood.  Samples are drawn by venous puncture, most often from the forearm or from the veins in the hand.  Occasionally there are problems in drawing blood when the veins are subject to collapse, or when they are very small or difficult to locate.  Still other problems may occur when the veins “roll” or move from side to side.  And as in any procedure that involves a wound to the skin, there is always the risk of infection that is introduced.  The problems are compounded when patients are required to submit multiple samples over time.

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May 20, 2020

Institute will house inter-disciplinary research in bioengineering, micro-and nanoscale technologies to enable transformative biomedical innovation

(LOS ANGELES) – Once home to the Weider Health and Fitness Center, created by body builder and entrepreneur Joe Weider, the newly-acquired addition to the Terasaki Institute will be custom-designed to house the latest technology in cutting-edge research.  Built in 1971, the two-story building will provide 50,000 square feet of floor space for up to 200 employees.

Space devoted to laboratory research will be designed to accommodate multiple teams of scientists, who will be developing bioengineered systems, devices and other products with various biomedical applications.  This newfacility will be fully equipped to enable such technologies as tissue engineering and regeneration, bio-fabrication using 3D printing, nano- and micro-engineering, stem cell engineering and the creation of human organs on chips.

“I’m very excited about the addition of the new building to the Terasaki Institute.  I believe that this addition will give us needed research space to bring together a number of leading scientists in our efforts to develop the next generation of biomedical innovations,” said Terasaki Institute’s new director and CEO, Ali Khademhosseini, PhD.  “I’m particularly excited in furthering the great legacy of the Weider family and the building’s history in promoting health and fitness by focusing on individualized cures and diagnostics.”

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May 22, 2020

High-throughput platform identifies complex conditions with biomaterial compositions, and mechanical and chemical stimuli that help stem cells produce more robust cartilage

(LOS ANGELES and CHICAGO) — Cartilage is far from being like cartilage. As a rubber-like elastic tissue with widely varying properties, it lubricates our joints to keep them healthy and in motion, and forms many of our internal structures such as the intervertebral discs in our spine, the flexible connections between our ribs, and our voice box, as well as external tissues like nose, and ears.

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