Cutting-Edge MTM Lab Engineers Innovative 3D Liver Micro-Tissue
The MTM Lab, an award-winning microfabricated tissue models research lab, releases cutting-edge innovations in the field of cell & tissue engineering.
Striving for transformative impact, the Lab creates engineered tissue for applications in developing drugs, modeling diseases and enhancing regenerative medicine. The microfabricated tissues and cells are used to understand the underlying mechanisms of diseases in order to improve treatments and outcomes.
According to Dr Salman Khetani, Lab Director, the most significant development is " the fabrication of a novel 3D liver micro-tissue using a technique called droplet microfluidics that allows precise control over the interactions between cells and their surrounding protein matrix."
The human liver cells in these microtissues function for 7+ weeks and are useful for several applications, including drug toxicity testing, understanding liver diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic fatty liver disease. These liver diseases affect nearly a third of the US population, and there is currently no known cure.
Liver cells, also known as hepatocytes, are fundamental components of the liver, an organ renowned for its multifaceted role in metabolic processes and detoxification within the human body.
"We strive to aid in developing a cure for these widespread liver diseases", says Dr Salman Khetani.
In 2023, The MTM Lab has experienced a large increase in research expenditure through various grants, which has directly resulted in a significant number of publications and citations.
"The growth of our Lab has been tremendous over the past few years, but especially in 2023", says Dr Salman Khetani.
The latest development in the Lab is an expanding the repertoire to stem cell-derived cardiomyoctes in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of various heart diseases.
Cardiomyocytes, also referred to as cardiac muscle cells, are pivotal components of the human heart. These specialized cells play a central role in the mechanical function of the heart, contributing to its ability to pump blood throughout the body.
Characterized by a unique structural makeup, cardiomyocytes are equipped with myofibrils that contain sarcomeres—the basic units of muscle contraction. This intricate architecture allows for the coordinated and rhythmic contractions necessary for the heart's pumping action.
To learn more about the considerable growth of the The MTM Lab, visit: https://mtmlaboratory.com
The MTM Lab City: Chicago Address: 851 S. Morgan St Website https://www.mtmlaboratory.com Phone +1 312 413 9424 Email skhetani@uic.edu
