HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
UCSD researchers create a home for liver cells on a silicon chip

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have created novel silicon chips with miniature wells similar to those in muffin tins that allow the maintenance of fully functioning liver cells, an important advance for scientists who hope to keep liver cells alive outside of the body.

Their achievement, which could lead to new treatments for liver disease and new methods of testing drug toxicity, will be described at a news conference at the American Chemical Society's 221st national meeting in San Diego.

The development of this dime-sized, porous silicon "liver bioreactor" was the result of a collaboration between chemists in UCSD's Division of Physical Sciences and bioengineers at the university's Jacobs School of Engineering, who suspected that normal liver cells might grow on finely textured surfaces of silicon produced through an electrochemical-etching process.

"This is a great example of how interdisciplinary collaborations can contribute to important advances for human health," says Michael J. Sailor, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCSD.

"We're exploring a new generation of devices in which we can maintain cells by controlling the architecture, temperature and chemical environment, and in which we can use sensors located on the same chip to monitor the health of cells," says Sangeeta N. Bhatia, a physician and an assistant professor of bioengineering at UCSD. Because previous research on porous silicon has been restricted to cancerous cell lines, the porous silicon bioreactor will provide an immediate benefit for Bhatia and her colleagues, who can now study and maintain normal liver cells harvested directly from animals.

It may also help in the development of future artificial liver devices. Today, five companies have artificial livers in clinical trials worldwide. Intended for patients with end-stage liver disease, t
'"/>

Contact: Kim McDonald
kimmcdonald@ucsd.edu
858-534-7572
University of California - San Diego
3-Apr-2001


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Belgian researchers explore revolutionary approach to angiogenesis
2. Award winning researchers reveal potential new role for Glivec
3. $7.5 Million grant to Yale researchers for role of viruses in cancer
4. New anti-inflammatory strategy for cancer therapy identified by UCSD researchers
5. Joslin researchers clarify mechanisms for beta-cell formation
6. Virginia Tech researchers to release findings on Smith River Project
7. Molecular motor myosin VI moves hand over hand, researchers say
8. ASU researchers demonstrate new technique that improves the power of atomic force micrscopy
9. Emory researchers map structure of anti-cancer molecule
10. Leukemia stem cells identified by Stanford researchers
11. EURYI Award given for the first time to 25 young European researchers

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: UCSD researchers create home for liver cells silicon chip

(Date:6/13/2013)... Mass. - Qiaobing Xu, assistant professor of biomedical ... named a Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences by ... competitive program, whose past winners have included Nobel ... Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, identifies talented ... focuses on nanotechnology for biomedical uses. He will ...
(Date:6/13/2013)... named Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical ... fellowship provides support to advance grantees, research, enables ... invests seed capital to help them establish laboratories ... to postdoctoral researchers investigating some of the world,s ... , "The quest for impactful biomedical discoveries is ...
(Date:6/13/2013)... PHILADELPHIA (June 13, 2013)Twenty-two of the nation,s most ... Biomedical Sciences by The Pew Charitable Trusts today. ... researching the basis of perplexing health problems such ... new scholars join a prestigious community of researchers ... MacArthur fellows, Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Tufts Engineer Qiaobing Xu named 2013 Pew Scholar 2On the scientific frontier 2On the scientific frontier 3From autism to diabetes to Parkinson's disease 2From autism to diabetes to Parkinson's disease 3
(Date:6/14/2013)... Ventura, CA (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 ... Twist Lock Couplings come equipped with a new and ... with a non-slip, more secure grip and reliable connection ... particularly well suited for use on medical applications ... range offers blood pressure cuff manufacturers with better, more ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... Rosacea is said to affect 16 million Americans, eczema, another ... seems that most of the population have one or more ... reports, often deciphering the difference between one skin condition and ... similar symptoms. Probiotic Action explains how these skin conditions are ... , Rosacea, Acne and Eczema are conditions that react to ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG) today announced a reduction ... by delays in portfolio company exits caused primarily by ... funding. PLSG President and CEO, John ... life sciences investment firm, the actions taken this week, ... were necessary to protect the future of both our ...
(Date:6/13/2013)... Eagle Biosciences is proud to announce ... Calprotectin ELISA assay kit that offers the ... µg/g stool). The Calprotectin ELISA assay kit is ... Calprotectin (neutrophil cytoplasmic protein s100A8/A9, MRP 8/14) in ... assay line which already includes Alpha 1 Antitrypsin ...
Breaking Biology Technology:LinkTech Inc. Launches Ideal Replacement for a Luer Fitting 2LinkTech Inc. Launches Ideal Replacement for a Luer Fitting 3Rosacea, Acne, or Eczema? Probiotic Action Offers a Topical Probiotic to Treat the Most Common Skin Conditions 2Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse Makes Significant Reductions Due to Uncertain Funding 2Eagle Biosciences Introduces Highly Sensitive Calprotectin ELISA Assay Kit 2
Cached News: