Researchers from Korea University have reported progress in improving the maturity of cardiac organoids, which are three-dimensional tissues derived from human stem cells. The study, led by Professor Yongdoo Park of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University, investigated whether magnetic torque stimulation could better replicate the mechanical forces that shape heart development.
The research was published online on October 23, 2025, and appeared in Volume 208 of Acta Biomaterialia in December 2025. The team differentiated human embryonic stem cells into cardiac organoids and incorporated surface-bound magnetic particles. They then applied a custom-designed magnetic torque during an early stage of development to simulate physiological cardiac mechanics.
Analyses included gene and protein expression profiling, immunofluorescence imaging, measurements of beating and calcium transients, and transcriptomic studies. These methods allowed for a systematic assessment of how mechanical stimulation influences cardiac organoid maturation.
The results showed that applying magnetic torque improved both the maturation and vascularization of cardiac organoids. Professor Park stated: "Torque-stimulated activated mechanotransduction pathways, with accompanying improvements in cardiac differentiation, maturation, and vascularization."
Mechanically matured cardiac organoids may improve drug safety testing by providing more accurate models for cardiotoxicity screening. These models could reduce reliance on animal studies and offer consistent laboratory results across different research settings. Over time, this approach could support personalized disease modeling and treatment strategies while helping researchers understand how various factors interact during early heart development.
Professor Park concluded: "Our study opens new avenues for studying cardiac development, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic responses in systems that more closely reflect human physiology. In addition, the platform provides a reliable and reproducible model that can also be extended to other organoid systems in which mechanical cues play a key regulatory role. By reducing dependence on animal models, such platforms can accelerate drug discovery and testing, contributing to safer and more personalized treatment decisions."
