Latest news with #InstituteforBioengineeringofCatalonia
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
New Study Could Boost IVF Success: 3D Video Shows How Embryos Implant
Scientists have recorded a real-time 3D video of a human embryo implanting into the uterus for the first time. They have used a synthetic uterus model to show how the process happens naturally in the body. The artificial embryos were donated by Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona, and the research was done by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). Researchers have analysed how the video of embryo implantation can help improve the success rates of fertility treatments such as IVF, reported The Guardian. Samuel Ojosnegros, principal investigator for the Bioengineering for Reproductive Health Group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Spain and study co-author, said, "We have observed that human embryos burrow into the uterus, exerting considerable force during the process." He called it a surprisingly invasive process. He said that when an embryo implants, it has to push into and merge with the tissue of the uterus to begin the pregnancy. Many women feel cramps or have light bleeding when it happens, but until now, nobody had seen the process, said Ojosnegros. According to Live Science, when implantation happens, the embryo sticks to the inner lining of the uterus and then starts growing by making more cells. He said that when implantation fails, the pregnancy cannot continue, and researchers say this is one of the biggest reasons for infertility. It is responsible for about 60 per cent of miscarriages. When a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine lining six to twelve days following ovulation, this is known as embryo implantation. Researcher Amelie Godeau told The Guardian, stated that the embryo pulls and reshapes the uterus lining while trying to implant. She said, "It also reacts to external force cues. We hypothesise that contractions occurring in vivo may influence embryo implantation." According to the study's findings, these contractions might be a crucial factor in a successful implantation. During the menstrual cycle, the type of spontaneous contractions that occur in the human uterus varies, often occurring one to two times per minute. The researchers said that this implies that there might be a frequency range that is ideal for embryo implantation.
UPI
3 days ago
- Health
- UPI
Watch: 'Astonishing' video shows human embryo implanting in real time
1 of 4 | A human embryo is shown implanting itself inside a simulated uterine wall in an image taken from the first real-time video of the process ever recorded. Spanish researchers say they hope their video will lead to a deeper understanding of infertility. Photo courtesy Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A team of Spanish researchers announced Friday they have for the first time recorded video of a human embryo implanting itself in a simulated uterine wall, revealing never-before-seen details of how 5-day-old embryos carry out the mysterious process. Using advanced microscopy techniques allowing the scientists to record the human embryo in full color and 3D, the "astonishing" videos provide the first-ever, real-time glimpse of the implantation process and have provided key insights into how it actually works, they said. Researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, said the videos reveal for the first time that embryos exert "considerable force" and employ digging traction as they "invade" the uterine tissue, becoming completely integrated with it. The findings, published in journal Science Advances, found crucial differences between how mouse and human embryos move in connecting to the uterus wall, the authors said. An "ex vivo" platform they developed using an artificial uterine matrix made of gel and collagen which allows for implantation outside of a human uterus made the videos possible. The system could have a "significant impact" on efforts to counter infertility and help those who are unable to conceive naturally, they predicted. Failure of the implantation process is the main reason behind the relatively low effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization, in which embryos are conceived in a lab and then transferred to the womb. Implantation occurs in only 25% to 30% of transferred embryos -- whether conceived in vivo or in-vitro -- with embryo quality cited as the most significant feature affecting implantation. "We've opened a window into a stage of development that was previously hidden," the co-authors said in a statement to UPI. "After Day 5, when an embryo has 100 to 200 cells, it must implant, but until now, doctors couldn't observe it again until an ultrasound weeks later. "With our system, we can test culture conditions or compounds that might improve implantation." For example, the scientists say they have already developed a protein supplement that can be used in clinics to enhance implantation rates, available through their spin-off company Serabiotics and in collaboration with the Spanish pharmaceutical major Grifols. "In short, this is a new tool for extending embryo observation and optimizing conditions for success," they said. The videos show a donated human embryo powerfully pulling on the uterine matrix and reshaping it as it goes, illustrating the importance of "optimal matrix displacement." Lead author Samuel Ojosnegros, principal investigator of IBEC's Bioengineering for Reproductive Health Group, said the initial real-time look at a human embryo implanting itself was a profound experience for him. "We had some experience making time-lapse movies of mouse embryos, but the first time we saw a human embryo implanting was truly astonishing," he said. "Everything was different, the size, the shape, the behavior. They were stronger, more forceful, digging a hole into the matrix in a remarkably invasive way. Every detail felt unique. "Watching it alive, in action, for the first time was absolutely mind-blowing." Embryo implantation is the "holy grail" of reproduction -- and unlike in the animal world, in humans it can be a problematic process, resulting in about 1 in 6 people around the world having trouble making a baby, noted Dr. Mark Trolice, a professor at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and founder/director of The IVF Center, a full-service reproductive medicine clinic in Orlando. "Even though scientists have studied this for many years, they still do not fully understand how implantation works or what makes the uterus ready for an embryo," he told UPI. "One big mystery is why a woman's body can grow a baby made from sperm -- which is a 'foreign' tissue -- without rejecting it, as well as the ability to carry a donated egg." The new study, he said, "gives researchers a closer look at implantation. They used an ex vivo model, which means they studied the process outside the body. This let them watch how embryos interact with the uterine lining (called the endometrium) and measure the tiny pulling and pushing forces from both mouse embryos and donated human embryos." The videos showed for the first time that each species makes its own unique pattern of forces during implantation. Trolice noted that while there are "some limits" to the Spanish study, "this work could lead to new ways of adjusting the uterine environment, which might help more embryos successfully implant. "Before any treatment can be used, scientists will need to do human clinical trials. There are also important ethical and legal rules about using human tissues and embryos, which researchers must follow," he added.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
3D-printed grafts: shaping the future of bone and tissue regeneration
Over the past decade, 3D printing has gone from being a futuristic idea to a revolutionary tool. In medicine, its ability to produce custom-made, complex structures is changing the way doctors treat injuries and diseases – especially when it comes to rebuilding bones and other body tissues. Additive manufacturing (as 3D printing is technically known) creates objects based on a digital model, building them layer by layer. In medicine, this technology is being used to make inert objects like implants and prosthetics, but it can also create living tissues that help the body repair itself. This exciting new development, known as bioprinting, uses tiny structures (called scaffolds) embedded with the patient's own cells to guide the growth of new tissue. This makes the printed structure more compatible with the body, and reduces the risk of rejection. It also helps the new tissue to heal faster and work more effectively. In the future, this technology might even be used to print full organs for transplant, helping solve the worldwide shortage of donor organs. Healing large or complex bone defects is one of the toughest challenges in surgery. Whether caused by accidents, cancer surgery or birth conditions, these defects often do not heal well with traditional bone grafts. One big problem is that the body struggles to grow new blood vessels inside the graft, which is essential for proper healing. Researchers in Europe are currently at the forefront of developing innovative, groundbreaking new technology to tackle this problem, with initiatives spread across the continent. Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have created 3D-printed scaffolds using polylactic acid and calcium phosphate that support bone growth and blood vessel formation. These have shown strong results in lab and animal tests, where scaffolds have encouraged stem cells to grow and release growth factors, successfully attracteing blood vessels into the healing area. At the University of Bergen, the Tissue Engineering Group is working on two major projects that use a patient's own stem cells to print bone replacements. These personalised constructs are designed to fit perfectly, reduce the chances of rejection, and improve the patient's recovery. The EU-funded Smart Bone Regeneration (SBR) project is developing smart implants for rapid bone restoration with medical-grade polymers. The design also incorporates sensors to monitor implant performance, providing real-time data on bone growth and potential complications. In vivo studies in large animal models are currently underway to validate this approach. The Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, in Dresden, is working on 3D-printed materials that support bone healing, with patients' own materials that help bone cells grow. They also combine bone cement with soft gels filled with living cells to create strong, custom implants. Their goal is to make bone implants that work well in the body, bringing these 3D-printed treatments closer to real use in hospitals, or even in outer space. Another exciting example is from the company BellaSeno, who work in partnership with the Julius Wolff Institute at the Charité hospital in Berlin. They are creating 3D-printed bone scaffolds that can support and guide new bone growth. Their custom-made system uses a high-speed, precise printing process that meets international medical manufacturing standards (ISO 13485). These implants are currently being evaluated for clinical use, offering hope for patients with large bone defects. Such collaborations between academic institutions and private companies are essential. They help speed up the process of turning research discoveries into real-life treatments available in hospitals. These partnerships also ensure that safety, quality, and effectiveness remain a priority in every stage of development. Leer más: The use of 3D printing in medicine is quickly moving from research labs to real clinical use. The European cases mentioned above show how this technology is already helping patients heal better and faster. They are also paving the way for a new era of personalised and regenerative medicine. However, there are still some hurdles to clear. Printed implants need to stay strong and safe over time, so long-term studies and patient trials are essential. These help researchers understand how the materials perform in the body over the years. New medical tools must also meet strict safety rules, which takes time, but helps protect patients and build trust. Progress will depend on close teamwork between scientists, doctors, engineers, and regulators. As research and trials move forward, 3D printing is likely to become a routine part of surgery. Personalised, cell-based implants could soon be a standard option for repairing bone and tissue, bringing us closer to a future where treatments are safer, faster, and made just for you. Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos académicos. Lee mas: AI is transforming the search for new materials that can help create the technologies of the future Exercise could help broken bones heal faster – here's how Personalised medicine made in hospitals can revolutionise the way diseases are treated – the challenge now will be implementing it Nieves Cubo Mateo currently works with funding from Nebrija University and the Spanish state research agency (AEI, Ayudas a Proyectos de Generación de conocimineto 2023, PID2023-146961OA-I00). She also directs the ARIES Research Centre at Nebrija University, and is part of the 3D Advance Planning and Manufacturing Unit at Gregorio Marañón Hospital (UPAM3D).
