Imagine a world where we can unlock the secrets of strokes and revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases. This is the ambitious goal of a groundbreaking research team at the University of Sydney, and their innovative approach is nothing short of remarkable.
Unveiling the Power of 3D Printing: A New Hope for Stroke Patients
Charles Zhao, a PhD candidate with a background in mechanical engineering, decided to pursue biomedical engineering to make a more profound impact on human health. His expertise in fluid dynamics proved invaluable when studying blood flow in blood vessels.
The team's cutting-edge technology involves 3D printing blood vessels on glass, creating anatomically accurate replicas of healthy and diseased vessel segments. These intricate models, including delicate blood vessel anatomy and damaged vessel wall linings, provide a unique window into the complex world of cardiovascular health.
"We're not just printing blood vessels; we're printing hope for millions at risk of stroke worldwide," Charles emphasizes.
A Game-Changing Diagnostic Tool
The researchers' groundbreaking work, published in Advanced Materials, has already led to significant insights into the causes of stroke. Their 3D-printed blood vessels mimic the fluid dynamics of blood flow, offering a powerful tool for studying the early events that lead to blood clots in carotid arteries.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Australia, with a person losing their life to heart disease every 12 minutes. While diagnosis methods exist, predicting these life-threatening events has been a challenge.
But here's where it gets controversial: the team's technology could also be used to test new medications tailored to patients with specific health conditions. This raises ethical questions about personalized medicine and its potential impact on healthcare systems.
The 'Artery on a Chip' Revolution
The 'artery on a chip' method is a game-changer. It successfully mimics the physical appearance and fluid dynamics of blood vessels, providing an accurate simulation of natural blood flow. This detail is crucial, as it allows researchers to study the impact of blood viscosity on flow patterns in people at risk of heart disease.
Dr. Zihao Wang, the postdoctoral chief engineer of the MBL group, highlights the uniqueness of their approach: "This is the first-of-its-kind bioengineering endeavor in Australia, and our work aims to solve crucial gaps in heart disease diagnosis and prevention without animal testing."
Witnessing Blood Clot Formation
During testing, the researchers witnessed, in real-time and under a microscope, the formation of blood clots and the behavior of platelets, a crucial component in blood clotting. The technology revealed that the friction and force created by blood flow against the vessel lining play a significant role in platelet movement and, consequently, clotting.
In areas of high stress on the blood vessels, the researchers observed 7 to 10 times more platelet movement. This discovery highlights the intricate relationship between blood flow dynamics and the risk of stroke.
The Future of Stroke Prediction
Professor Arnold Ju, the lab head and senior author, describes their creation as a "physical twin" of patient blood vessels, an exact miniaturized replica that behaves like the real thing. The team's vision is to integrate artificial intelligence with their biofabrication platform to create "digital twins" that can predict stroke events before they occur, moving from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
Helen Zhao, the postdoctoral digital scientist and operation manager of the MBL Ju lab, envisions a future where a patient's CT scan can be rapidly printed into a blood vessel model, tested for blood response, and analyzed using AI to predict stroke risk years in advance.
A Collaborative Effort for Transformative Research
The research team acknowledges the visionary support of the Snow Medical Research Foundation and the Snow Family through the Snow Fellowship and the National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship. This collaboration has been instrumental in advancing their transformative research.
Professor Ju emphasizes the exceptional collaborative efforts across the University of Sydney's School of Biomedical Engineering, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Heart Research Institute. The team's innovation and partnership with clinical partners at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital ensure their research directly addresses real patient needs.
"We're not just printing blood vessels; we're printing hope for millions at risk of stroke worldwide. With continued support and collaboration, we aim to make personalized vascular medicine accessible to every patient who needs it," Professor Ju concludes.
The researchers have applied for funding opportunities through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and government and medical foundations. If successful, the project will recruit patients for pre-clinical trials, bringing their innovative technology one step closer to making a real impact on stroke prevention and treatment.
