Innovative Imaging Insights (I3): Development of MR-compatible Bioreactors for Tissue Engineered Heart Valves

Descripción del proyecto

Nuevo biorreactor para válvulas cardiacas avanzadas de ingeniería tisular

Las válvulas cardíacas de ingeniería tisular se crean utilizando una combinación de materiales biológicos, células y matrices artificiales para imitar la función y estructura de las válvulas cardíacas naturales. Su principal ventaja es que son menos propensas a complicaciones como la coagulación de la sangre o el rechazo inmunitario, sobre todo si se crean con las propias células del paciente. En el proyecto I3, que cuenta con el apoyo de las acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, se pretende desarrollar un novedoso biorreactor y combinarlo con técnicas de resonancia magnética nuclear para evaluar válvulas cardíacas de ingeniería tisular sin necesidad de efectuar experimentos con animales. Las válvulas cardíacas protésicas vivas generadas serán muy beneficiosas para los pacientes jóvenes gracias a su capacidad de autorreparación y crecimiento.

Objetivo

Given the escalating global burden of valvular heart disease and the pressing need for living heart valve replacements, I decided to focus my research on this healthcare challenge by acquiring new skills through advanced training and international interdisciplinary collaborations. My proposal I3 combines the design and application of a novel bioreactor for assessing tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs) by highly advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to kickstart the innovation cycle in in-vitro experiments. Especially young patients with valvular heart disease will profit from TEHVs as they suffer from current heart valve replacements lacking the ability to self-repair and growth as well requiring the life-long intake of anticoagulants.
Leveraging the high-dimensional, non-invasive analysis potential of MRI, my I3 proposal establishes new innovative tools for TEHV research to enable new insights in the resulting hemodynamics downstream of TEHVs, close the optimization loop in-vitro using patient-specific boundary conditions and reduce the need for ethically and monetary challenging animal experiments.
Building on my expertise on advanced MRI, I will acquire new skills to develop a novel MRI-compatible bioreactor in the project. Enabling in-vitro experiments with high precision and repeatability, the imaged flow field in the bioreactor allows me to select and optimize a TEHV for specific hemodynamics of patients. In-vivo MRI-enabled feedback of the resulting hemodynamics offers further diagnosis. Furthermore, in-vitro and in-vivo measurements offer important information for optimization of TEHVs for patient-specific treatments.
I will use the knowledge and skills gained from this inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary project for my next career steps (incl. submission of an ERC starting grant) in the field of biomedical engineering research aimed at providing all patients with a suitable heart valve replacement. I3 is a major step towards making this a reality.