(MI), hECT injection into the hearts of rats and mice reduces infarct size and improves heart function and contractility. As a proof of principle, grafts of engineered heart tissues have been implanted in rats following MI with beneficial effects on left ventricular function. The use of hECTs in generating tissue engineered heart valves is also being explored to improve current heart valve constructs for in vivo animal studies. As tissue engineering technology advances to overcome current limitations, hECTs are a promising avenue for experimental drug discovery, screening and disease modelling and in vivo repair. References Stem cell research