Stem cells levitated by sound can form simple miniature organs

When researchers used sound to levitate stem cells, they found that cells formed in spheres. The method can be used to grow tissue for transplantation

from Carmela Padavich-Kalagan

Sound levitating stem cells can spontaneously form spherical spots. The technique can be used to grow tissues or simple miniature organs without researchers having to physically manipulate the cells and potentially disrupt them in the process.

Designing or creating tissues for therapeutic use, such as pieces of cartilage to restore the knee, is a challenge. The chemicals and forces used to attract cells into the desired shape can disrupt their function after implantation. Mauricio Hoyos at the French National Research Center (CNRS) and his colleagues found …