About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Researchers Manage to Grow Bones from Extra Fat

by Kathy Jones on April 16, 2013 at 9:36 PM
 Researchers Manage to Grow Bones from Extra Fat

A team of Israeli researchers has managed to find a way to convert extra fat into new bones which can then be used to replace missing or damaged bone structure.

With the new findings, Bonus Biogroup based in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, will help millions of people all over the world suffering from bone diseases such as osteoporosis, bone infection and also accidents that cause irreparable damage to the bones, reported Xinhua.

Advertisement

By making the cells grow in a scaffold after scanning the patient's bones to determine the shape, these cells then fill a mould and make a completely new bone resembling the lost one.

"By using live adult cells inside the scaffold and mimicking the body's conditions, the cells fill the cast in a matter of a few months, two or three, so the patient is ready to receive an implant that his body will not reject, because it was taken from his own body," Bonus Biogroup founder and CEO Shai Meretzki told a press conference Thursday.
Advertisement

The cell extraction procedure is very non-intrusive, unlike bone replacement surgeries today that take a piece of the patients' bone and work on it to make it look as similar as possible to the bone it will have to replace. This, of course, is a painful and long process that requires months of post-operative care.

"We do a small liposuction on the patient's stomach and make those cells turn into the new bone by telling each of them how to grow. Many patients encourage us to continue with the liposuction!" Meretzki laughed.

For now, Meretzki and his team only researched on rats, but the trials on human will begin soon, as they expect that their technology will be available for everyone in no more than three years.

The new innovation in tissue growth, which took Meretzki and his team five years to develop, can also be applied in dentistry since many times dental implants cannot take root due to lack of bone structure.

"With this technology, dentists can grow bone tissue in the mouth so that the dental pieces can be easily put in place," Meretzki said, though admitting that for now, growing organs in a similar way is still far down the line.

"Bone tissue is relatively easy to grow, because its cells are not as complex as the ones on body organs, but I don't think it's something impossible, we just need to research more," he added.

Source: IANS
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Research News

Breakthrough Brain-Centered Approach Reduces Chronic Back Pain
Our discovery revealed that a minority of individuals attributed their chronic pain to their brain's involvement.
New Statement to Protect Athletes' Health Published
Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport syndrome is overlooked by athletes and can be worsened by 'sports culture' due to its perceived short-term performance benefits.
Brain Circuits That Shape Bedtime Rituals in Mice
New study sheds light on the intrinsic, yet often overlooked, role of sleep preparation as a hardwired survival strategy.
NELL-1 Protein Aids to Reduce Bone Loss in Astronauts
Microgravity-induced bone loss in space, can be reduced by systemic delivery of NELL-1, a protein required for bone growth and its maintenance.
Connecting Genetic Variants to the Alzheimer's Puzzle
Researchers establish connections between Alzheimer's-linked genetic alterations and the functioning of brain cells.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Researchers Manage to Grow Bones from Extra Fat Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests