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Revolution in the laboratory: Researchers develop lifelike, synthetic tissue!
An international research team from Kiel University is developing synthetic tissue to mimic living cells, published in Nature Communications.
Revolution in the laboratory: Researchers develop lifelike, synthetic tissue!
An international research team has developed a remarkable synthetic fabric that is both stable and fluid. This innovative invention, published on February 27, 2025 in the magazine Nature Communications was published was carried out under the leadership of the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel (CAU). The synthetic tissue consists of millions of synthetic cells, the basic building blocks of which are water droplets surrounded by a double layer of lipids.
The researchers have created rudimentary cell networks that have many properties similar to living biological tissues. These “cells” are about 30 thousandths of a millimeter in size and exhibit mechanical properties reminiscent of living cells. Molecular motors apply forces to the membrane by mimicking a physiological process that occurs in natural cells. This experimental mimicry is reminiscent of the forces that the flagellum of swimming bacteria can exert to move the cells within the synthetic structures.
Innovations in membrane research
The synthetic tissue could play an important role in studying natural cell networks. The plan is to integrate proteins into the membranes to generate electrical potentials. This research could have long-term applications, particularly in the medical field. Possible future applications include covering medical implants with the artificial tissue to aid the healing process. There are also considerations as to how these membranes could be provided with protein or carbohydrate compounds in order to simulate the body's own structures to the immune system.
As is clear from the historical context of membrane research, important researchers such as Evert Gorter and F. Grendel described the fundamentals that led to the Gorter-Grendel model of the cell membrane. Their research in the 1920s produced crucial insights into the lipid bilayer, which is held together by hydrophobic interactions. Both natural and synthetic membranes have differences in their complexity and functionality. While biomembranes consist of a variety of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, synthetic lipid bilayers are often simpler in structure and optimized for specific applications, such as in drug delivery or as models in research.
Future prospects for synthetic fabric
The new development not only shows the potential for neural implants to replace defective nerve cells, but also the possibilities for use in regenerative medicine. Synthetic systems offer some advantages, but their functionality and dynamics are less adaptable than natural biomembranes. These differences result from the way they form and their interactions with the environment.
In summary, advances in synthetic tissue research not only shed light on membrane biology but also open promising perspectives for future applications in medicine and biotechnology. While studies by leading scientists such as Gorter and Grendel laid the foundation, the current team at Kiel University has taken membrane research to the next level and created impressive opportunities for further exploration of biological systems.