All articles tagged with #heart development
Scientists used advanced light-sheet microscopy to create a mesmerizing timelapse of cardiac cells in a mouse embryo, revealing that heart cell fate and movement are determined much earlier than previously thought, which could inform future treatments for heart defects.
Scientists at Harvard University have captured the moment when a zebrafish embryo's heart starts beating, shedding light on the early stages of heart development. Using high-speed microscope imaging, the researchers observed how waves of calcium ions became organized and propagated in developing zebrafish embryos, triggering the heart's first pulse. The study suggests that the mechanisms of heart formation may be shared across vertebrates, including humans, and could provide insights into cardiac irregularities such as arrhythmias.
Scientists at the Technical University of Munich have successfully created a "mini-heart" organoid using stem cells, providing a model for studying heart development and diseases. The organoid, consisting of both heart muscle cells and outer heart layer cells, can replicate patient-specific heart conditions and may reduce the need for animal testing in drug development. The breakthrough also revealed a new cell type and could offer insights into the regenerative capabilities of the fetal heart. The researchers have patented the process and plan to use personalized organoids to investigate other congenital heart defects.
A fatty acid called ɣ-linolenic acid (GLA) found in mother's milk triggers a shift in heart cells' metabolism, which helps in the development of heart muscles in newborn mice. The study found that GLA prompts the cardiomyocytes to shift to a different food source, which then powers the cells through adulthood. The research could allow for the study of heart diseases in adults.