👉 Liver engineering, also known as bioartificial liver technology or bioartificial liver support, involves the creation of functional liver tissues or organs to supplement or replace the failing liver in patients suffering from acute or chronic liver failure. This innovative approach combines principles of tissue engineering, biomaterials science, and cellular biology to construct or repair liver tissues. Typically, this process starts with isolating liver cells, such as hepatocytes or liver progenitor cells, which are then cultured in a scaffold or bioreactor environment that mimics the liver's natural extracellular matrix. The engineered tissues are designed to perform essential liver functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and bile production. These bioengineered livers can be used for temporary support in patients awaiting liver transplantation, or they can serve as a platform for drug testing and personalized medicine. Advances in 3D printing, stem cell technology, and microfluidics are driving the development of more complex and functional liver constructs, bringing us closer to a viable solution for liver disease treatment.
