Bhatia’s lab at MIT engineers hydrogel microspheres that act like liquid when packed, allowing delivery of hepatocytes through a syringe. The spheres solidify in‑situ, forming stable mini‑livers that can sustain liver functions for months. This approach could spare thousands of transplant‑waiting patients from major surgery.

Injecting the grafts into the abdominal fat of mice kept hepatocytes alive for at least two months, during which they produced essential enzymes and proteins. Researchers plan to target other sites and use the microspheres to deliver local immunosuppressants, potentially reducing the need for systemic drugs.

The technique sidesteps surgical replacement, offering a bridge to transplantation while keeping patients alive and functional. If successful, it could change the treatment paradigm for chronic liver disease, reducing waiting lists and surgical risks.

While immunosuppression remains likely, the team is exploring immune‑evading hepatocytes and localized drug delivery through the microspheres. This research builds on a decade of work by Professor Sangeeta Bhatia and her group at MIT, positioning them as leaders in biofabricated organoids for patients.