Scientists closer to making implantable bone material, thanks to new research

Scientists closer to making implantable bone material, thanks to new research. Scientists are closer to understanding how to grow replacement bones with stem cell technology %0A " - Imperial College London News Release - Under Strict Embargo - Sunday 26 July 2009 - 1800 BST / 1300 US Eastern time Scientists are closer to understanding how to grow replacement bones with stem cell technology, thanks to research published today in the journal Nature Materials. Many scientists are currently trying to create bone-like materials, derived from stem cells, to implant into patients who have damaged or fractured bones, or who have had parts of diseased bones removed. The idea is that, ultimately, these bone-like materials could be inserted into cavities so that real bone could meld with it and repair the bone. So far, scientists have found they can grow small 'nodules' of what appears to be bone-like material in the laboratory from different types of bone cells and stem cells. All of these cell types are attracting considerable interest as promising candidates for future implants in people with clinical trials already underway. However, scientists still need to thoroughly explore and understand the in-depth chemical properties and structure of the bone-like materials they are growing.