Instructive Supramolecular Scaffolds for In Situ Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

In-situ cardiovascular tissue engineering offers tremendous benefits to the field of regenerative medicine. The technology aims at the implantation of a synthetic vascular or valvular graft that gradually transforms into a living, functional tissue inside the human body.
Instructive scaffolds based on supramolecular chemistry, as illustrated here, allow for the controlled growth and specialization of vessels and valves while offering a commercially attractive, off-the-shelf technology for application in young and adult patients.

For more information see:
P.Y.W. Dankers, M.C. Harmsen, L.A. Brouwer, M.J.A. Van Luyn, E.W. Meijer, A modular and supramolecular approach to bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering, Nat. Mater. 2005, 4, 568-574 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmat1418).
C.V.C. Bouten, P.Y.W. Dankers, A. Driessen-Mol, S. Pedron, A.M.A. Brizard, F.P.T. Baaijens, Substrates for cardiovascular tissue engineering, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2011, 63(4-5), 221-241 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2011....
C.V.C. Bouten, A. Driessen-Mol, F.P.T. Baaijens, In-situ heart valve tissue engineering: simple devices, smart materials, complex knowledge, Expert Rev. Med. Devices 2012, 9(5), 453-455 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/erd.12.43).

Credits:
Animation: ICMS Animation Studio
Voice-over: Studio Make
Music: "Nebulas Night" by Jason Livesay