Engineered Heart Tissue technology (EHT) implementation in Eurac Research
The PROMOS project, funded under the Interreg Italy–Austria 2021-2027 progamme, aims to strengthen the biomedical ecosystem by promoting collaboration between academia and industry. By merging advanced technology with human-derived cells, PROMOS Work package 2 task 3 (WP2.3) is paving the way for more reliable and versatile models of the human heart – a resource for both fundamental research and future medical applications.
Within this framework, Eurac Research and ICGEB joined forces to advance the development of human engineered heart tissues (EHTs), a model already widely used but still limited in its ability to reproduce the full complexity of the heart. By combining their expertise, the project partners seek to overcome these challenges: ICGEB contributed its know-how in EHT generation using animal cells, while Eurac Resarch brought its experience in deriving cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).
The Eurac Research team is developing fully human EHTs using cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and cardiac fibroblasts derived from hiPSCs. This multicellular composition mirrors the human heart, with each cell type playing a complementary role: fibroblasts provide structural support and electrical coupling, endothelial cells regulate immune and regenerative functions, and cardiomyocytes drive contraction. When cast into fibrin-based matrices, these cells create structured tissues which spontaneously align by anchoring to two pillars and contract in synchrony, while specialized devices allow real-time monitoring of their mechanical activity.The main objective achieved so far includes the identification of the most suitable device for EHT culture and analysis to be installed in Eurac laboratories. The instrument implemented is an optical fiber–based platform enables high-resolution, real-time contraction detection directly inside the incubator. The central component, called Smart Lid, is reusable and provides a sterile environment for tissue formation, anchors EHTs between pairs of pillars (for a total of 24 tissues contemporarily), and connects directly to fiber optics and electrodes for simultaneous contraction measurements and electrical stimulation. External modules manage signal transmission, while dedicated software allows continuous monitoring and detailed analysis of contractile performance.
