A new bone substitute to regenerate bones – News and protagonists

The survey has already entered the phase of clinical trials. It could be used for the treatment of osteoporosis or injuries caused by accidents.

One of the most serious health problems of the twenty-first century is bone deterioration, due to age (osteoporosis) or various injuries. Therefore, it is necessary to regenerate or replace parts of the body whose functionality has been seriously impaired.
In this context, a group of Israeli researchers undertook the second trial of a clinical study that regenerates bones in a laboratory. which could be used for the treatment of osteoporosis or injuries caused by accidents. The first trial, which began four years ago and included 32 patients, has been successfully completed.
The method they designed uses liposuction to recover fat cells from the body, from which the cells that control the damage are isolated. Then these cells are grown in a bio-reactor, a laboratory space for artificial simulation of the human body.
Finally, a few weeks later, the new bone, adapted to the needs of the patient, is reinjected into the body. body in the form of thousands of small particles of living bone.
According to the researchers, the new bone is alive, can be strengthened and can grow with the patient, making it a special point of interest when it comes to regenerating the bones of children. The same impact on the elderly, as well as patients with osteoporosis, infections, cancer or traumatic accidents, could have new bones stronger than the original.
To do this, they used biotechnology, a surprising discipline because of its potential for development and application, such as the ability to produce human skin and bones from the body. tissue engineering to repair or replace parts of the body, as well as other damaged organs
According to statistics, between 2 and 2.5 million orthopedic and dental bone transplants are performed worldwide each year. In addition, up to 40% of these grafts are made from the bone tissue of the patient's own body.