Medical implants of living cells that act as long-term drug producers could revolutionize treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders. These devices have previously faced challenges associated with ensuring dosage needs while also maintaining cell functionality. When packed into the high densities required for a clinical dose, the cells often suffocate, particularly in the poorly oxygenated space under the skin.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon are part of a multi-institution team that have developed the Hybrid Oxygenation Bioelectronics system for Implanted Therapy (HOBIT), which shields a sufficient number of cells from the host immune system in a small volume while also providing access to oxygen and nutrients.
Working alongside collaborators at Rice University and Northwestern University, Tzahi Cohen Karni facilitated the development of a miniaturized electrocatalytic oxygenator (ecO2) component that refined the device’s core and enhanced its capabilities.
Our collaborative efforts are highly unique, a combination of energy research with bioengineering, toward efficiently providing oxygen to the cell factories.
Tzahi Cohen-Karni, Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering
