Summary
UCLA researchers in the Departments of Bioengineering, Radiology, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering have developed a novel oxygen-generating material for promoting the viability of cells.
Background
Tissues are lost due to trauma, tumors or surgery and the body ahs very limited capacity to generate. The use if cell therapy to help tissue regeneration was recently developed. However, therea need exists to improve the outcome of cellular therapy and help to preserve and transport engineered tissue products. In a related problem, organs prepared for transplantation suffer from limited survival time and many are lost on the way. because their cell viability declines.
Innovation
A novel biomaterial system capable of sustained and controlled generation of oxygen over days has been developed by a team of UCLA researchers. This system can be used to continuously generate oxygen to cells, tissues and organs under hypoxic conditions, enhancing their viability and survival. Ultimately, the improved conditions of the tissues and organs should lead to better transplantation outcomes.
Applications
▶ Promoting the survival and growth of implanted cells
▶ Preserving organs for transplantation
▶ Preserving tissues for transplantation
Advantages
▶ Ability to continuously generate oxygen over several days
▶ Enhanced cell survival
▶ Biocompatibility
▶ Biodegradability
State Of Development
This invention has been developed and tested on cardiac cells.