Treatment options for heart disease and heart-related illnesses are still limited despite the fact that they are the main causes of death across the globe. Presently, one group reports in ACS Nano that it is possible to repair damage to the heart by encapsulating stem cells in a nanogel.

Myocardial infarction, also referred to as heart attack, inflicts damage to the muscular walls of the heart. Scientists have attempted several techniques for repairing this damage. For instance, implanting stem cells directly in the heart wall , however the cells usually do not take hold, and sometimes they induce an immune reaction. Injectable hydrogels – substances that are composed of a polymer and water is another treatment option being investigated.

Naturally occurring polymers such as collagen and keratin have been used but their composition can differ between batches and in addition they are costly. Therefore, Ke Cheng, Hu Zhang, Jinying Zhang and colleagues wanted to investigate to see if placing stem cells in inexpensive hydrogels with designed tiny pores that are produced in the laboratory was a good idea.

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