Bioelectronic Mesh Grows With Cardiac Tissues for Comprehensive Heart Monitoring

The tissue-like bioelectronic mesh system developed by a team of engineers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA, USA) is integrated with an array of atom-thin graphene sensors and can simultaneously measure both the electrical signal and the physical movement of cells in lab-grown human cardiac tissue. This breakthrough allows for observation of the heart's development, providing insights into how its mechanical and electrical functions change over time. The device consists of two key components: a three-dimensional cardiac microtissue (CMT) derived from human stem cells that closely resembles a living human heart, and graphene, a one-atom-thick pure-carbon substance known for its electrical conductivity and piezoresistive properties. This means graphene can detect electrical activity and changes in resistance even when it is stretched, all without disrupting the heart's operations.

Embedded in a soft, stretchable, porous mesh scaffold that mimics human tissue, these graphene sensors can non-invasively attach to cardiac tissue, remaining stable and conductive over time. This allows for continuous monitoring of the CMT's development. This device is a significant advancement for cardiac disease research and the study of drug therapies' potential side effects. Going forward, the researchers aim to expand this technology for broader applications, including in vivo monitoring, to gather precise data to combat heart disease.

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