Key breakthrough in the quest to regenerate bones
Bone and cartilage regeneration has moved a step closer to reality. Scientists have successfully formed “bone-like structures” in mice using a new stem cell-based technique, which they believe could be transferred to humans.
Developed by scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Monash University and RIKEN Centre for Developmental Biology, the technique allowed the creation of cells that have the appearance and behaviour of normal cells in the stage just before they form cartilage.
When the researchers transplanted these special proto-cartilage cells – more accurately known as chondrocyte precursor cells – into mice, they developed into structures that had the appearance and characteristic of bone.
http://www.factor-tech.com/health-augmentation/8569-scientists-announce-key-breakthrough-in-the-quest-to-regenerate-bones/