] The networks were etched on to 15 centimetre-wide silicon
] wafers and the paths were then used as a mould to set a
] layer of biodegradable polymer. Two of these were then
] sealed together with a microporous membrane sandwiched
] between them, producing a mini artificial vascular
] system.
]
] Endothelial cells - which are flat cells lining the walls
] of blood vessels in a single layer - were injected into
] the network on one side of the membrane and either liver
] or kidney cells were injected on the other side. The
] endothelial cells coated the inside of the polymer
] nanotubes. These nanotubes biodegraded to leave a living
] shell of vessels similar to a natural vascular network.
] This method would provide an efficient means of supplying
] the liver or kidney cells with enough oxygen and
] nutrients to survive.