Biocompatible

At the Oregon Medical Laser Center in the western city of Portland, a team of scientists is working on building tissue from proteins found in the human body. Led by cardiologist Kenton Gregory, the researchers are creating biocompatible tissues made of a substance called elastin, a protein that is produced naturally in the body.

The researchers say that there are many hurdles to overcome in using such a device inside the body, but that the work represents "a step toward the development of biocompatible, minimally invasive, autonomous microtools."