Improving Vascular Perfusion of Decellularized Grafted Leaves

Decellularized Aptenia cordifolia leaf grafts showed promise as scaffolds for regenerative tissues. The development of a fully perfusable grafted leaf scaffold is necessary to promote nutrient, gas, and waste exchange to the attached regenerative tissue. This study tested the use of mini magnets to promote the adhesion of grafted leaves during the graft incubation process. The efficiency of magnet use was determined by measuring the perfusion flow rate of red dye through the graft and qualitatively observing its area of perfusion. Grafts were also evaluated using histology by observing the difference in xylem production ± the use of magnets