Tissue Engineering, an Artificial Heart Valve that can change the lives of many children, EU SCIENCE

Researchers of the ARISE project have become pioneers in the field of tissue engineering. A new generation of heart valves, produced in a lab, offers a glimmer of hope especially for children with congenital heart defects like young Nick from Germany.
In the past years they have been able to breed heart valves which can grow as the human body grows, unlike conventional biological or mechanical transplants.
To produce the artificial valve, the researchers use a human donor heart valve. In a strictly controlled, hygienic environment, the flaps are completely freed from the cells of the donor. This is done with a special detergent solution. In the end, only a colourless framework of connective tissue remains and is ready for transplantation.
To date, more than 200 children have received a heart valve like Nick and everyone is doing well.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 643597.

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