Body builders

Your challenge: Design a new way to deliver nutrients to an organ

What’s the story?

Faraday hero Elaine Hillenmeyer works as a Research Fellow in the Clinical Engineering Department at the University of Liverpool. Dr Hillenmeyer carries out research in tissue engineering. One of the major challenges of her work is to secure the blood supply to growing tissue because it is extremely hard to create new blood vessels. “If we had another way of delivering nutrients it would make the process of growing new organs much easier”, Dr Hillenmeyer says.

Can you help? Can you make organ donation history? Dr Hillenmeyer would like you to come up with an alternative way – one that isn’t blood vessels – to deliver nutrients to an organ.

Growing organs?

For some years it has been possible to grow tissue such as skin in the lab. This is sometimes referred to as in vitro, which literally means ‘in the test tube’. In recent years scientists and engineers have extended the technique to growing whole organs in vitro. This technique is still very much in its infancy and so far the most success has been had with growing bladders.

In 2006 seven such bladders were successfully implanted in human patients. There is a huge demand for this technique as there is a massive shortfall of organ donors across the world.

Bladders are relatively easy to grow but more sophisticated organs such as livers, kidneys and hearts require a much more complex blood supply system. This has so far proved impossible to reproduce in the lab.

There is a huge amount of work going into this field so a solution may be closer than we realise. Who knows, it could one day be you that comes up with the breakthrough Dr Hillenmeyer needs!

What you need to do

Once you have devised a plan, produce a video (max. five minutes) presenting it. There is no right or wrong solution. You can use any props you want or just do a talking head. Not sure what to do? You should include:

  • A description of what the problem is.
  • An explanation of how your idea will solve this problem
  • An explanation of what the success of your method could mean for medical science.
  • Information about where people might find more information or help.

Want to make sure you get your point across? Have a look at our Presentation tips.

Here are some questions to get you started…

  • How do blood vessels work and how could you re-create their function?
  • Which particular characteristic of blood might you need to consider?
  • How would you make sure there is a constant supply of nutrients?
  • In which form would you supply the nutrients to the growing organ?
  • Which engineers and scientists would you need to consult to help you realise your solution?

Want more information? Check out these links…

On this site:

On the internet:

How will your entry be judged?

To really impress the judges your entry has to meet three equally weighted criteria:

  • Engage! You have to communicate with your audience in an exciting and engaging fashion
  • Understand! You must show that you understand the science behind the challenge and your solution
  • Solve! You need to offer a solution to the problem you have been presented. The more innovative and interesting your approach the better!

Submitting your challenge video

Upload your challenge video now, using the IET Faraday Video Wizard.

Closing date for submitting your entries is the 14th December. Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions before you enter.

If the judges choose your video as one of the 4 regional winners, your winning team will be invited to take part in the filming of 4 ‘Faraday returns’ videos with leading scientists and engineers. Filming will take place in January, please therefore ensure that your team is available during this period.