Micro process engineering refers to the science of conducting chemical or physical processes (unit operations) within a very small volume. Generally, it occurs within channels that have diameters of less than 1 mm also known as microchannels. Otherwise, it is used in such structures that consist of sub-millimeter dimensions. In past decades, even though much research has been done in the field, there has still been little progress. Due to this, a lot of R&D is still required for micro-engineering to reach its potential truly.
The newly created artificial tissues might change this situation. Scientists have unveiled this new development which imitates some of the intricate characteristics and capabilities of the living tissues. This is a major breakthrough for Micro-Engineering Market and also in medicine and soft robotics as this is the first known way through which centimeter-sized artificial tissues of any shape with complex internal structures can be produced.
The team successfully developed the new technique and took advantage of it to accumulate millions of sticky synthetic cells, known as “protocells.” These sticky cells were easily turned into artificial tissues with the ability to communicate with each other and their external surroundings. Before this, protocells were usually looked at individually. However, researchers discovered that when the cells were taken as a group to form protocellular materials, they interacted collectively and displayed advanced capabilities.
The innovative method used in the study was called the “floating mold technique,” which enabled the team to make free-standing protocellular materials of different shapes and sizes. Moreover, it allowed the assembly of patterned and layered protocellular materials by the cautious arrangement of various types of protocells.
In this case, the research team especially programmed the behavior of the protocells consisting of the material. This was done so that at times waves of chemicals were sent into the environment; protocells would cooperate to receive physical and chemical information from their collective reaction. Such behavior could lead to a new method that would help investigate how a drug moved and distributed inside the living tissues.
The groundbreaking creation is on the next level and has great potential and application in various industries. The protocellular material is stable, in water, robust, and can combine the advantageous attributes of individual protocells with improved abilities that they acquire after group formations. The team also indicated that they might also graft protocellular materials onto organs soon to enable targeted therapies.