Patches for a Broken Heart

dnahelix writes: "From NASA, Patches for a Broken Heart Using a space-age device called a bioreactor, researchers have grown patches of tissue that beat and respond much like a human heart does. This was reported in October of 1999, Scientists Grow Heart Tissue in Bioreactor, however, it appears progress is being made. The new article includes an animated gif of pulsing tissue!" From the article: "They'll pick a rate and they'll beat at it," says Freed. "If you blow on them, they'll change." They're very sensitive to stimulation, she says. "If they warm up or cool down, if someone slams the door, their rate can change."