The Myocardial Regeneration Lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute focuses broadly on cardiovascular regeneration techniques, but more specifically on developing better ways to deliver cells to damaged myocardium as well as better techniques to analyze cardiac mechanics. The lab has developed biological sutures made from discrete fibrin microthreads that can be seeded with cells and deliver to tissue. Also, the lab has pioneered the use of plants as scaffold for heart regeneration. To determine regional mechanical function, the team has developed a particle tracking method that can be used to assess regional cardiac mechanics as well as quantify contractile strains produced by cardiac cells.
Recently, the team has expanded their efforts into cellular agriculture. This exciting new field, the biomanufacturing of animal products, presents a novel and promising alternative to current meat production by conventional agriculture. Cellular agriculture has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while decreasing our land, water and energy use.