Stem Cells and Lightweight Plastic Used to Create Artificial Bone

Researchers at Universities of Edinburgh and Southampton have managed to create artificial bone with the help of stem cells and new lightweight plastic, leading to the possibility that people can heal their own broken limbs. The researchers revealed that inserting a degradable and rigid plastic material into the shattered bones can encourage the real bone to grow with the help of stem cells.

The plastic material allows the blood to flow through it and thus allowing stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow to attach to it and grow a new bone. The plastic then slowly degrades away, leaving the newly grown bone intact.

“Fractures and bone loss due to trauma or disease are a significant clinical and socio-economic problem. This collaboration between chemistry and medicine has identified unique candidate materials that support human bone stem cell growth and allow bone formation. Our collaborative strategy offers significant therapeutic implication”, University of Southampton’s Richard Oreffo said.

Source-Medindia