Abstract
INTRODUCTION
With 8 out of 1000 live-born full-term children being affected by congenital heart disease, pulmonary heart valve replacements have been commonly employed as a treatment option for severe cases of this condition. However, the currently available treatments lack remodelling capability resulting in multiple reoperations as the child’s heart grows. Our research aims to eliminate the need for additional surgeries, by developing a tissue engineered pulmonary heart valve for paediatric patients with the ability to remodel and grow in tandem with the patient. This requires development of a prosthesis which will withstand the challenging hemodynamic conditions of the heart from the moment of implantation. This prosthesis must also fully integrate with the native heart tissue to enable somatic growth. In previous work, our group successfully developed a novel polymer scaffold for soft tissue applications. This fibrin-collagen based scaffold has viscoelastic properties similar to those of native valves and provides an excellent biological environment for cells. This novel natural biomaterial scaffold will enhance the viscoelastic properties of the neotissue formed within its matrix, ensuring development of an effective replacement valve [2][3].
PROJECT AIMS
This PhD project aims to further develop this technology and is part of a larger project. The specific aims of this PhD project are: • Develop a functioning coculture of primary cells within the HV scaffold • Dynamically condition this TEHV with previously identified parameters and measure the functional and performance characteristics of the TEHV as per ISO 5840. Characterise the biological attributes of the TEHV including in vitro immune response. • Ascertain non-destructive indicators for TEHVs monitoring • Create an appropriately sized valve for a pilot preclinical trial with a young animal model.
IMPACT The expected outcome of this project is the development of a tissue engineered heart valve. The development of such technology will also create an in vitro model of a human heart valve for research into heart valve diseases.
REFERENCES [1] Bouma and Mulder, Circulation Research, vol 120:908–922, 2017 [2] Almeida-González (et al.), Materials Science & Engineering: C, vol. 120, 2021. [3] Brougham (et al.), Advanced Healthcare Materials, vol. 6, 2017. FUNDING Taighde Eireann- Research Ireland (Frontiers of the future) 22/FFP-P/11399
With 8 out of 1000 live-born full-term children being affected by congenital heart disease, pulmonary heart valve replacements have been commonly employed as a treatment option for severe cases of this condition. However, the currently available treatments lack remodelling capability resulting in multiple reoperations as the child’s heart grows. Our research aims to eliminate the need for additional surgeries, by developing a tissue engineered pulmonary heart valve for paediatric patients with the ability to remodel and grow in tandem with the patient. This requires development of a prosthesis which will withstand the challenging hemodynamic conditions of the heart from the moment of implantation. This prosthesis must also fully integrate with the native heart tissue to enable somatic growth. In previous work, our group successfully developed a novel polymer scaffold for soft tissue applications. This fibrin-collagen based scaffold has viscoelastic properties similar to those of native valves and provides an excellent biological environment for cells. This novel natural biomaterial scaffold will enhance the viscoelastic properties of the neotissue formed within its matrix, ensuring development of an effective replacement valve [2][3].
PROJECT AIMS
This PhD project aims to further develop this technology and is part of a larger project. The specific aims of this PhD project are: • Develop a functioning coculture of primary cells within the HV scaffold • Dynamically condition this TEHV with previously identified parameters and measure the functional and performance characteristics of the TEHV as per ISO 5840. Characterise the biological attributes of the TEHV including in vitro immune response. • Ascertain non-destructive indicators for TEHVs monitoring • Create an appropriately sized valve for a pilot preclinical trial with a young animal model.
IMPACT The expected outcome of this project is the development of a tissue engineered heart valve. The development of such technology will also create an in vitro model of a human heart valve for research into heart valve diseases.
REFERENCES [1] Bouma and Mulder, Circulation Research, vol 120:908–922, 2017 [2] Almeida-González (et al.), Materials Science & Engineering: C, vol. 120, 2021. [3] Brougham (et al.), Advanced Healthcare Materials, vol. 6, 2017. FUNDING Taighde Eireann- Research Ireland (Frontiers of the future) 22/FFP-P/11399
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Pages | 114 |
| Number of pages | 114 |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Jan 2025 |
| Event | BioEngineering in Ireland : Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland (RAMI) Section of Bioengineering - Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Ireland Duration: 24 Jan 2025 → 25 Jan 2025 Conference number: 25 |
Conference
| Conference | BioEngineering in Ireland |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | BINI |
| Country/Territory | Ireland |
| City | Athlone |
| Period | 24/01/25 → 25/01/25 |