Complex, Human-Based, Vessel Chips May Improve Cardiovascular Research

Study in a Sentence: Researchers developed improved human-based vessel-chip models that can more closely mimic the structural diversity and shapes of living blood-vessels, offering a valuable tool that could improve cardiovascular research. 

Healthy for Humans: Physiological and pathological variations result in different blood vessel shapes, which can impact vascular function and lead to vascular disease and serious complications, including stroke and cerebral aneurysms. Vessel chips using human cells that model the diverse architecture and shapes of vessels may improve vascular disease research and treatment options for patients. 

Redefining Research: Animal experimentation and initial vessel-chip models are limited in their ability to model the complex architectural features of diverse human blood vessels. Researchers have developed models that better mimic structural variations, including bifurcations and aneurysms. These architecturally advanced vessel-chips may improve the study of vascular complications and diseases where onset and progression are impacted by vessel structure.