Overview
An international research collaboration, involving the University of Tokyo, developed a sensor designed to monitor the pulse of laboratory-grown 3D heart tissue, specifically cardiac organoids. This sensor, termed a biomechanical well plate, draws inspiration from the lateral line system found in fish.
Research Context
The research focused on developing a method to measure the activity of artificial heart tissue. The inspiration for the sensor's design came from biological systems, specifically the lateral line organ in fish. This organ is described as a 'sixth sense' for fish.
Approach
The sensor developed is referred to as a biomechanical well plate. Physically, the device appears as a small white box. Within this box, there are four individual wells, each designed to hold liquid. This setup was used to interface with and analyze cardiac organoids, which are laboratory-grown 3D heart tissues.
Findings
The developed biomechanical well plate successfully measured the pulse of lab-grown 3D heart tissue. The sensor's functionality is directly linked to its bio-inspired design, mimicking the sensory capabilities of a fish's lateral line.
Why This Matters
The ability to precisely monitor the pulse of lab-grown 3D heart tissue could contribute to the study of cardiac biology and the development of new experimental models for cardiovascular research.