VesselNet concept
VesselNet concept is to create in-vitro a functional vascular network (VesselNet), composed of both large and small vessels, within engineered constructs, which will allow for the generation of thick engineered tissues under continuous flow conditions.
3D bio-printing techniques will be applied to create the engineered tissues.
VesselNet aims
1. Creating in-vitro a functional vascular network
2. Engineering composite tissues
Soft tissues (muscle, adipose, dermis, and their composite) will be generated in-vitro.
The muscle component of the tissue will be innervated upon transplantation.
A well-vascularized in-vitro engineered bone tissue will also be created separately.
3.Creating thick engineered composite tissues
The therapeutic efficacy of the thick engineered composite soft tissue will be assessed in a breast reconstruction model,and full thickness abdominal wall defect.
TheVesselNet vascularized bone tissue will be assessed in an open fracture model.
4. Integrating the thick, complex soft and bone engineered tissues to reconstruct a large facial defect
In addition, these tissues will serve as a model to study mechanisms involved in vessel anastomosis, and tissue organization and stabilization.
VesselNet impact
The VesselNet engineered large –scale composite tissues are expected to have a major impact on reconstructive surgery and will shed light on yet unknown tissue organization mechanisms.