UNSW researchers develop new microgel made of moth's silk which is designed to assist with tissue regeneration and could help people recover from heart attacks.
Engineers at UNSW have weaved their magic to create a new material made of silk that could ultimately help regenerate heart tissue.
They have taken silk from a domestic silk moth, turned it into a form of jelly called a microgel using light and shown in mice that it is tolerated in the body and can help regenerate cells and tissue.
The microgel is designed to mimic the mechanics and physical properties of what cells interact with anywhere in the body, as well as the properties of human tissue.
The ultimate goal is to continue to develop the material to assist in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and also support the heart muscle in people who have had a heart attack.
Associate Professor Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina and her team have published their findings in the Advanced Functional Materials journal, showing that cells and blood vessels can grow within the microgel when implanted onto the skin of mice while also promoting the generation of new tissue.
