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In other studies, Riley has since shown that other proteins besides thymosin β4 might also have a role in stimulating the epicardium to regenerate the heart7.

The organoids are about 2 millimeters in diameter and include the main types of cells typically present in this stage of development: cardiomyocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and epicardium.

We make tiny slices along the outer surface, known as the epicardium, to find the three major coronary arteries.

Riley's team, whose study was published in the journal Nature Wednesday, targeted particular cells found in the outer layer of the heart, called the epicardium.

Stem cell biologist Paul Riley of University College London and colleagues gauged the capabilities of progenitor cells in the epicardium, the heart's outer layer.