Cells in gels.The notion of a synthetic material that is alive sounds far-fetched. Somewhat less fantastic, though, is a material that contains, or coexists with, living components. In an effort to produce such a material, Edward J.A. Pope, a materials scientist at MATECH in Westlake Village, Calif., has produced a transparent gel, made of porous 1. Full of or having pores. 2. Admitting the passage of gas or liquid through pores. po silica, that can encapsulate rous·ness n.1. To form a capsule or sheath around. 2. To become encapsulated. en·cap living cells. The gel forms a clear matrix around the cells, suspending them without killing them - "like raisins in a loaf of bread," he says. su·la tion n.Pope demonstrated the concept by mixing cells of Saccharomyces Saccharomyces /Sac·cha·ro·my·ces/ (-mi´sez) a genus of yeasts, including S. cerevis´iae, or brewers' yeast.saccharomycet´ic cerevisiae, a type of yeast commonly used to ferment beer, into a gel. The gel formed a porous shell around each organism - trapping it, yet permitting nutrients to flow in and by-products to flow out. Pope believes silica gels GELS - Grup Excursionista la Salle can encapsulate capsulate many types of microorganisms, including genetically altered Escherichia coli and Streptomyces Streptomyces /Strep·to·my·ces/ (strep?to-mi´sez) a genus of bacteria (order Actinomycetales), usually soil forms, but occasionally parasitic on plants and animals, and notable as the source of various antibiotics, e.g., the tetracyclines. S. somalien´sis is a cause of mycetoma. bacteria. He also sees such gels as someday facilitating cell transplants. "Silica gel A highly absorbent form of silicon dioxide often wrapped in small bags and packed with equipment to absorb moisture during shipping and storage. is compatible with living tissues," he says, "so it's a good candidate for implanting live cells into a human body." For instance, insulin-producing cells suspended in gel could be inserted into the pancreas of a diabetic. The gel would permit glucose and insulin to come and go, yet protect the cells from immune response. Similar implants could help patients suffering from liver failure or thyroid deficiencies, Pope adds. |
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