New Bio Patch to Grow Damaged Bone Tissue Developed by Researchers

Researchers at University of Iowa have developed a new bio patch that can help regenerate missing or damaged bones by inserting DNA into a nano-sized particle through which bone-producing instructions are delivered directly to the cells.

The nano particles contain pieces of DNA for a platelet-derived growth factor called PDGF-B that is responsible for triggering cells to make proteins for stimulating bone production. The researchers said that they were also able to stimulate the growth of human bone marrow stromal cells in test tubes.

The researchers said that the bio patch was able to successfully regrow bone fully enough to cover skull wounds in test animals. They added that the patch could be beneficial in dentistry as well as it can be used to rebuild bone in the gum area that serves as the concrete-like foundation for dental implants. The study has been published in the journal Biomaterials.

"If you deliver just the protein, you have keep delivering it with continuous injections to maintain the dose. With our method, you get local, sustained expression over a prolonged period of time without having to give continued doses of protein", lead researcher Aliasger Salem said.



Source: Medindia