Researchers at Tufts University School of Engineering and the University of Pavia (Italy) have developed a three-dimensional tissue made from porous silk, that’s capable of producing platelets for clinical use. The development is expected to have a significant impact on treatment of blood diseases.
Platelets are cell fragments containing no nucleus, produced by megakaryocytes found in bone marrow. They’re an essential component in the blood clotting process, but can also play a role in strokes and heart attacks, making an increased understanding of their production an important area of investigation. In the study, researchers aimed to create an artificial bioreactor that mimics the microenvironment present in bone marrow, facilitating the artificial formation of platelets.
via Gizmag
Image: Tufts University
