Ready to Flow

At the point where natural biology and lab-based design meet, scientists are developing clever ways to nudge life in healthy directions. Here induced pluripotent stem cells (stained green with blue nuclei) are transformed into endothelial cells – they gelling together; forming a network of blood vessels similar to those found in human body. These vessels will be combined with clusters of pancreatic cells called islets, to form a sort of artificial pancreas that can be flooded with test substances. Outside the body, but mimicking many of its processes, researchers might study how islets respond to drugs, react during the immune response or adapt to changes in their environment. One day, these artificial organs may even be grown from a patient’s own stem cells, to develop personalised treatments for diseases like diabetes.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image by Timothy Kassis, MIT, MA, USA
• Image copyright held by Timothy Kassis