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Researchers at Mass General Brigham and Collaborating Institutions Make Breakthrough in Non-Invasive Cardiac Therapy
Researchers from Mass General Brigham and its partner institutions have unveiled a groundbreaking approach to remotely control cardiac tissue activity, which could revolutionize heart repair methods. The innovative technique involves using light to activate a unique ink incorporated into bioprinted tissue. This development, described in a recent study published in Science Advances, offers the potential for non-invasive therapeutic interventions to control electrically active heart tissues.
Y. Shrike Zhang, Ph.D., a co-corresponding author and a prominent figure in the Division of Engineering in Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shared his excitement about the discovery: “We showed for the first time that with this optoelectronically active ink, we can print scaffolds that allow remote control of engineered heart tissues. This approach paves the way for non-invasive light stimulation, tissue regeneration, and host integration capabilities in cardiac therapy and beyond.”
The breakthrough centers on bioprinted, three-dimensional tissues composed of cells and biocompatible materials, which are increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for repairing damaged heart tissue. While bioprinted tissues hold promise, they face a significant hurdle in their inability to generate the electrical activity necessary for cellular function. Traditionally, invasive methods, such as implanting wires and electrodes, are required to control the heart’s electrical impulses, posing risks to surrounding tissues.
Zhang and his colleagues overcame this challenge by developing a light-sensitive ink infused into the bioprinted tissue, making it possible to remotely stimulate electrical activity with light. In preclinical models, the researchers demonstrated that these engineered tissues not only generate electrical impulses but also synchronize with and accelerate the heart rate when stimulated by light.
“This proof-of-concept is an exciting first step,” Zhang said. “We are now focusing on understanding how this technology can foster long-term tissue regeneration and seamlessly integrate with the heart’s natural biology.”
This development opens the door to safer, non-invasive cardiac treatments and could have profound implications beyond heart therapy, potentially impacting regenerative medicine and other fields that require the control of electrically active tissues.
For further details, refer to the full study: Faheem Ershad et al., Bioprinted optoelectronically active cardiac tissues, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adt7210
Disclaimer: This article summarizes findings published in Science Advances and is intended for informational purposes only. The research described herein is at the preclinical stage and requires further study and testing before any potential clinical applications.
