Meital Zilberman, a professor in the department of biomedical engineering at Tel Aviv (Israel) University, has developed a biologically active “scaffold” from soluble fibers that may help humans to replace lost or missing bone by regrowing the tissue. With more research, the scaffold also could serve as the basic technology for regenerating other types of human tissues, including muscle, arteries, and skin, Zilberman says. “The bioactive agents that spur bone and tissue to regenerate are available to us,” she explains. “The problem is that no technology has been able to effectively deliver them to the tissue surrounding that missing bone.” Her artificial and flexible scaffolding connects tissues as it releases growth-stimulating drugs to the spot where new tissue is needed — like the scaffolding that surrounds an existing building during the addition of another structure. The technology is being licensed through Ramot, TAU’s tech transfer company. The invention could be used to restore missing bone in a limb lost in an accident or repair receded jawbones to secure dental implants, Zilberman suggests. The scaffold can be shaped so the bone will grow into the proper form. After a period of time, the fibers can be programmed to dissolve, leaving no trace. Zilberman’s technology also has potential uses in cosmetic surgery to “grow your own” cheekbones or puffy lips. But Zilberman says it’s far too early to think of such uses. She prefers to focus on applications such as dental implants, organ tissue regeneration, and peripheral nerve regeneration. “Our fibers provide all the advantages that clinicians in tissue regeneration are calling for,” Zilberman says. “Being thin, they’re ideal when delicate scaffolds are called for. But they can also be the basic building blocks of bones and tissues when bigger structures are needed.”
Source: PhysOrg.com