Bioreactor Grows Bones in the Body

Mar-19-19 Researchers have created a bioreactor able to grow bones inside the body for transplantation elsewhere.

The bioreactor was developed by a team from Rice University to offer an alternative to grafts and artificial implants for repairing craniofacial injuries. Instead, the 3D-printed bioreactor mold would be implanted in the body attached to the ribs, where the body’s own healing ability would assist in the growth of the new bone. Once complete, the bone would be harvested from the bioreactor and transplanted to the required part of the body.

The process has already been successfully tested in sheep, and could prove particularly useful for growing small, replacement bones for the craniofacial surgery, ENT and neurosurgery.

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[MEDGADGET.COM]
[NEWS.RICE.EDU]

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