In experiments with rats, researchers at the University of Minnesota and Yale University have been able to strip away cells from hearts and lungs and then regenerated functional organs by implanting induced stem cells on the protein scaffoldings cell stripping leaves behind.  Now, Professor Kevin Parker at Harvard has created a fabric from fibronectin protein that can mimic natural scaffolds and be shaped like a heart or lung. Besides growing functional organs, this approach could be used in organ repair and wound healing.    MORE

Image Credit: Credit: ACS/ Nano Letters and Technology Review