# 250. MIT’s Injectable Mini Liver Could Save Thousands of Lives

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-01
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives-ijmLm2er

## Summary

MIT researchers Professor Sangita Batia and post-doc Vardhan Kumar developed INSIGHT, an injectable 'satellite liver' using hydrogel beads and hepatocytes to support failing livers without surgery. The hosts discuss how this material scaffold prevents cell death, allowing injected cells to survive for 8 weeks in mice and potentially treat multiple patients from one donor. They highlight the accessibility of the procedure, which requires only a syringe and ultrasound, contrasting it with the high barrier of traditional transplants. The episode also covers Pandora Technologies' 3D-printed cornea solutions as a parallel innovation in additive manufacturing for medical applications.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives#t=0) Introduction: MIT's Injectable Mini Liver Concept
- [0:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives#t=34) Sponsor Read: Mouser Electronics and Pandora Technologies
- [4:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives#t=284) The Problem: Liver Transplant Shortages and Surgical Risks
- [8:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives#t=522) The Solution: INSIGHT Hydrogel Beads and Hepatocytes
- [13:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives#t=788) Benefits: Accessibility, Survival Rates, and Multi-Patient Potential
- [17:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-01-250-mits-injectable-mini-liver-could-save-thousands-of-lives#t=1061) Future Applications and Current Limitations

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MIT (company)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Pandora Technologies (company)
- INSIGHT (product)

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- [Ep 255: Balloon on the Moon, Nanotech Goblets, and USB All the Way](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-02-02-ep-255-balloon-on-the-moon-nanotech-goblets-and-usb-all-the-way) (Hackaday Podcast)
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## Citing this page

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