Definition
Plain language
Stripping all the living cells out of a piece of tissue, leaving only its scaffolding behind.
As stated in the literature
Chemical/enzymatic removal of cellular material from donor tissue, retaining extracellular matrix architecture as a scaffold for recellularization.
Also called: decellularization chemistry
Why it matters: It offers a way to reuse the intricate architecture of real tissue without carrying over the donor cells that would trigger rejection.
For example, a donor windpipe can be washed with detergents until only its collagen framework remains, ready to be reseeded with a patient's own cells.
Heard on the show
“Scaffold selection, decellularization chemistry, autologous cell sourcing, bioreactor maturation, and then surgical anastomosis.”Episode 240 — Frontier Models Designed Follow-Ups To Fraudulent Papers 93% Of The Time