A team of scientists from the Graeme Clark Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, Australia, has succeeded in creating a hybrid (hydrogel) that helps deliver cells needed for tissue repair, and provides the necessary oxygen supply to give them the best chance to grow locally.
The water-based hybrid gel contains a synthetic protein based on myoglobin that provides sustained release of oxygen needed for companion stem cells to survive and develop into their own specialized cells. The team of scientists inspired their theory by studying the prevalence of large (myoglobin) in deep-diving mammals, whose physiology and behavior require a sustained release of oxygen. The scholars said: "The study highlights limitations of cell culture techniques, such as poor cell survival rate, degradation, and proliferation away from the focal site.". And they added: "We have observed that new tissue can be stimulated in a manner similar to healthy brain tissue, providing the first evidence of the benefits of incorporating oxygen delivery within a hydrogel to achieve long-term survival and integration of stem cell transplants.". For his part, David Nisbet, Professor and Director of the Institute, said: "After a disease such as a stroke, there is a dead area in the brain, including the blood system, so a temporary blood supply is needed to support the cells, until the blood system (vessels and capillaries) is repaired.".
