Cardiovascular Substitutes

It is our objective in this program to develop the enabling technologies that will allow for the engineering of functional 3D cardiovascular constructs, the control of biological responses, the conferring of immune acceptance and the development of test beds that can be validated and used to predict clinical efficacy. Although much of the early efforts were focused on the tissue engineering of blood vessel substitutes, work is progressing to myocardial patches and tissue engineered heart valves.

Current GTEC Funded Projects

Cell technology research includes

• the study of alternative cell sources including stem cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells;

• research on the effect on endothelial biology of the mechanical environment imposed by local hemodynamic conditions in the vascular system.

Construct technology research includes

• the engineering of in vitro models of the blood vessel wall for the study of vascular biology;

• the study of the engineering and remodeling of collagen gels;

• the development of matrix-mimetic biomaterials for use as building blocks;

• the study of an acellular bioengineered xenograft;

• bioreactor technology and the use of the biomechanical and biochemical environment in vitro to remodel vascular constructs prior to implantation.

Integration into living systems research includes

• the use of both artery/organ culture systems and animal models for the assessment of performance;

• the engineering of immune acceptance;

• the study of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia.