Broken hearts
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 417 800 |
| Project duration | January 2016 - June 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project goal was focused on the advancement of methods for the development of artificial, fully functional hearts prepared by stem cell de- and recellularization to be used as preclinical testing systems for safety and toxicity screening and as model systems for studies of cardiac regenerative medicine, and ultimately as implants. The project also focused on transforming the project leader Dr. Jim Lund into a future research and project leader within regenerative medicine.
Expected results and effects
The project has mainly focused on the development of specific dellcellularization and recellularizations protocols for the development of functional recellularized heart tissue in a bioreactor. Because a successful recellularization is dependent on a carefully performed deceullularization, a number of decellularization protocols have been evaluated. The development of Dr. Lunds career has made him able to, in the future, lead complex multidisciplinary projects such as EU framework projects and projects as well as Swedish UDI and Vision driven health projects.
Planned approach and implementation
The project has mainly been carried out at SP technical research institutes of Sweden. UIT the arctic university of Norway have provided input on the bioreactor design and the University of Gothenburg has contributed with their knowledge in decellularization protocols.