The development of viable heart tissue in the laboratory has led to a greater understanding of the mechanics of cardiac tissue. The technology devised at the University of Washington places adhesive proteins on a grid, prompting heart cells to line up and form cardiac fibers similar to those found in natural heart tissue.

The beating heart tissues are grown from pluripotent stem cells generated from human adult cells. The heart A series of miniature engineered heart tissues suspended across pillars about a quarter of an inch apart. Within each tissue is a 3D assemblage of cardiac muscle fibers (inset). Source: Nate Sniadecki/University of WashingtonA series of miniature engineered heart tissues suspended across pillars about a quarter of an inch apart. Within each tissue is a 3D assemblage of cardiac muscle fibers (inset). Source: Nate Sniadecki/University of Washingtonmuscle tissue is supported between two flexible pillars with embedded magnets that allow researchers to measure contractions as the mini-hearts beat and push and pull the pillars.

The system can be used as a drug screening tool or to engineer cardiac muscle that could be grafted onto damaged hearts to improve their efficiency. A specially designed tissue chip containing heart muscle cells is also being studied aboard the International Space Station to monitor what happens to astronauts' hearts in zero gravity.

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