Bioengineered hybrid muscle fiber

A research collaboration between scientists at Yonsei University in South Korea and MIT sought to address volumetric muscle loss (VML) by combining direct cell reprogramming and a hybrid scaffold of polycaprolactone and a muscle extacellular matrix hydrogel.  “The resultant bioengineered muscle fiber constructs showed mechanical stiffness similar to that of muscle tissues and exhibited enhanced muscle differentiation and elongated muscle alignment in vitro. Furthermore, implantation of bioengineered muscle constructs in the VML mouse model not only promoted muscle regeneration with increased innervation and angiogenesis but also facilitated the functional recovery of damaged muscles.” MORE

Image Credit: Yonsei University, MIT, Institute for Basic Research