Scientists at Southampton University in the UK have been awarded a grant to grow human bone in the laboratory. At the moment, scientists must use viruses such as the one that causes the common cold to make bone cells grow, but this can be dangerous for patients. However, Dr Kris Partridge and Dr Richard Oreffo will be working with adult stem cells, which can be stimulated to grow into bone or cartilage using a cocktail of different growth factors. If their work is successful, the technique could then be used to trigger bone growth in patients with fractures that are taking a long time to heal, or those suffering from osteoporosis.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 27th January 2003
