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Abstract The ability to adequately pump blood throughout the body is the result of tightly regulated feedback mechanisms that exist across many spatial scales in the heart. Diseases which impede the function at any one of the spatial scales can cause detrimental cardiac remodeling and eventual heart failure. An overarching goal of cardiac research is to use engineered heart tissue in vitro to study the physiology of diseased heart tissue, develop cell replacement therapies, and explore drug testing applications. A commonality within the field is to manipulate the flow of mechanical signals across the various spatial scales to direct self‐organization and build functional tissue. Doing so requires an understanding of how chemical, electrical, and mechanical cues can be used to alter the cellular microenvironment. We discuss how mathematical models have been used in conjunction with experimental techniques to explore various structure–function relations that exist across numerous spatial scales. We highlight how a systems biology approach can be employed to recapitulate in vivo characteristics in vitro at the tissue, cell, and subcellular scales. Specific focus is placed on the interplay between experimental and theoretical approaches. Various modeling methods are showcased to demonstrate the breadth and power afforded to the systems biology approach. An overview of modeling methodologies exemplifies how the strengths of different scientific disciplines can be used to supplement and/or inspire new avenues of experimental exploration. This article is categorized under:Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic ModelsModels of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular ModelsModels of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models
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Process hybridization schemes for multiscale engineered tissue biofabrication
Abstract Recapitulation of multiscale structure–function properties of cells, cell‐secreted extracellular matrix, and 3D architecture of natural tissues is central to engineering biomimetic tissue substitutes. Toward achieving biomimicry, a variety of biofabrication processes have been developed, which can be broadly classified into five categories—fiber and fabric formation, additive manufacturing, surface modification, remote fields, and other notable processes—each with specific advantages and limitations. The majority of biofabrication literature has focused on using a single process at a time, which often limits the range of tissues that could be created with relevant features that span nano to macro scales. With multiscale biomimicry as the goal, development of hybrid biofabrication strategies that synergistically unite two or more processes to complement each other's strengths and limitations has been steadily increasing. This work discusses recent literature in this domain and attempts to equip the reader with the understanding of selecting appropriate processes that can harmonize toward creating engineered tissues with appropriate multiscale structure–function properties. Opportunities related to various hybridization schemes and a future outlook on scale‐up biofabrication have also been discussed. This article is categorized under:Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in BiologyImplantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement
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- PAR ID:
- 10360668
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- WIREs Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1939-5116
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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