A New Era in Transplantology
Israeli doctors successfully transplanted lab-grown bone to a patient.
The unique operation was performed by Israeli doctors: the patient received a bone that was artificially grown in a laboratory. Researchers are already calling this discovery a revolution in orthopedics, as the use of "grown" bones can eliminate defects after bone cancer treatment, restore limbs after injuries, allow elderly people to move actively again, and even lengthen limbs for those dissatisfied with their height! But that's not all: scientists plan to create bone material that will "grow" on its own.
Unique Operation
The revolutionary aspect of the method is that it allows avoiding the complex, lengthy, and quite painful process of bone transplantation that currently exists. In cases where a person requires a bone transplant due to injury or cancer, a piece of their own bone material is transplanted from another part of the body. The method developed by Israeli scientists helps to avoid the complicated procedure of bone transplantation.
The first operation using the new method took place in Israel. A patient who lost part of their shin due to a car accident was implanted with particles of living implants that were grown in laboratory conditions. The patient's recovery will take several months, after which the patient will regain the ability to walk normally.
Bone Grown "In a Test Tube"
The problem of finding an alternative to the currently used autologous bone grafting has been addressed for a long time. Research groups from different countries have conducted various studies, but it was the Israeli scientists from the company "Bonus Biogroup" who managed to devise a method to solve the problem.
The essence of the method is as follows. From a fragment of adipose tissue taken from the patient, cells responsible for tissue and vessel regeneration are isolated in the laboratory. This material is placed in a bioreactor under conditions identical to those in the human body. The cells begin to actively divide, and after two weeks, the material is ready for transplantation. It is introduced into the patient's body using a special syringe. The introduced material connects with the patient's bone material, and the process of active cell division begins. After some time (depending on the extent of the damaged area), it can be said that the bone has formed.
Future Prospects
After the transplantation was deemed successful, the scientists suggested that the method could be applied to address a multitude of orthopedic issues. For example, it may be in demand in aesthetic and plastic surgery, as well as for performing surgeries on patients who wish to become taller: in one operation, doctors have the ability to lengthen the bone by up to 10 centimeters.