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Artificial Blood Vessels Grow On Nano-Template

Invisible Pink Unicorn writes "Researchers at MIT have found a way to induce cells to form parallel tube-like structures that could one day lead to tiny engineered blood vessels. The researchers found that they can control the cells' development by growing them on a surface with nano-scale patterning. The work focuses on vascular tissue, which includes capillaries, the tiniest blood vessels. The team has created a surface that can serve as a template to grow capillary tubes aligned in a specific direction. The cells, known as endothelial progenitor cells, not only elongate in the direction of the grooves, but also align themselves along the grooves. That results in a multicellular structure with defined edges — a band structure. Once the band structures form, the researchers apply a commonly used gel that induces cells to form three-dimensional tubes."

6 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. Tube-like structures by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Researchers dubbed these tube-like structures the "internets".

  2. I can't wait for the Micheal Crichton thriller by StefanJ · · Score: 4, Funny

    It will have a simple title, like Vein , and be about a heroic surgeon who unearths the sinister truth behind a revolutionary new artificial blood vessel replacement technology, and after a long build up in which seemingly fully recovered trauma patients turn into super-powered . . .

    . . . well, I'd write more, but there's a screenwriters strike on, and I don't want to come across as a scab.

  3. How many more times? by Cally · · Score: 4, Funny

    MIT is not in charge of Gundam.

    --
    "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." -- Goethe
  4. Gel... by Bobfrankly1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Once the band structures form, the researchers apply a commonly used gel that induces cells to form three-dimensional tubes." Please tell me the gel is not KY branded. There are enough three-dimensional tubes already formed by that stuff posting on /.

    ...Myself included.
  5. Re:This seems like a natural step... by calebt3 · · Score: 2, Funny

    but do double-check with the creationists No problem on this end. Proceed.
  6. Re:The better question is: why? by LingNoi · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sure smarter people than me have figured out a practical use, and they're not posting at 2 AM or after 2 beers either. Just wondering what that use might be.
    This is just one small step towards building a real life sex bot!

    Better known as a meat bot, the T9000 will do your housework, take the kids to school and give you a foot massage after a long days work without any of that nagging and yelling.