Nanoscale Whiskers from Sea Creatures Could Grow Human Muscle Tissue

University of Manchester scientists have found a new source for creating working human muscle tissue: tunicates, also known as sea squirts, which are widely distributed on rocks and human-made structures in coastal waters around the world. The researchers discovered that cellulose from these creatures’ whiskers can influence muscle cell growth in the laboratory. Their cellulose is special in the fact that they are several thousand times smaller than muscle cells and are the smallest physical feature found to cause cell alignment, which is significant in terms of muscle fiber production. These microscopic whiskers, which are only 10s of nanometers wide, when aligned parallel to each other, induce rapid muscle cell alignment and fusion. This method, simple and rapid, allows scientists to create the standard aligned architecture of skeletal muscle tissue to help repair existing muscle or even grow new muscle. This discovery may pave the way for other architecturally aligned structures, including ligaments and nerves. Cellulose, due to its unique properties, is being scrutinized globally since it is a renewable resource, but this is its first use in the engineering of skeletal muscle tissue. Certainly, it won’t be its last, as the future of medical advances may as well rely on potential applications of cellulose.

I found this article interesting because of its profound impact in the world of medicine. A simple and quick method to generate artificial tissue from scratch could revolutionize healthcare, and help millions of people around the world. Since tunicates are so ubiquitous and cellulose renewable, replacing damaged or diseased human muscles from conditions such as muscular dystrophy may occur at a larger and faster scale, saving countless victims that die each year from these diseases. In addition, this process may help foster new discoveries in the applications of cellulose, which could save even more lives.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110311121844.htm