News Release

Tissue engineered scaffolding allows reproduction of cartilage tissue

Study suggests new treatment may have a variety of applications

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Suwon, Korea – May 09, 2007 - A new study examines the use of tissue-engineered scaffolding made of cartilage cells, which have a limited ability to heal naturally, to replace defective cartilage tissue. Cartilage cells are extracted and seeded to the scaffold which is implanted into the body, where new cartilage tissue is grown along the structure. The study appears in the journal Artificial Organs.

The procedure was extremely successful in tested mice as the study found these scaffolds to be a far more effective means of regenerating cartilage than traditional therapy. The shrinkage of cartilage that occurs frequently in other tissue engineering methods, and often renders the replacement tissue wrongly-sized for implantation, did not occur in the study. The scaffolding allowed the newly grown cartilage to maintain its volume during cultivation and post-procedure.

"The cell-derived scaffold could provide a favorable environment for cartilage cells to maintain their characteristics while synthesizing cartilage in the scaffold structure in vivo," notes study author Dr. Byoung-Hyun Min. "Cell-derived scaffolding may hold great promise for the future. A variety of applications are possible for the engineering of cartilage tissue as the shape and porosity can be altered to suit the type of tissue required."

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This study is published in Artificial Organs. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.

Dr. Byoung-Hyun Min is affiliated with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Ajou University School of Medicine in Suwon, Korea and can be reached for questions at bhmin@ajou.ac.kr.

Since 1977, Artificial Organs has been publishing original articles featuring the studies of design, performance, and evaluation of the biomaterials and devices for the international medical, scientific, and engineering communities involved in the research and clinical application of artificial organ development. Artificial Organs, published monthly, brings its readership the depth and breadth of the science and technology that continues to advance the Replacement, Recovery and Regeneration of organ systems. For more information, please visit www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/aor.

Blackwell Publishing is the world's leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic, and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. The company employs over 1,000 staff members in offices in the US, UK, Australia, China, Singapore, Denmark, Germany, and Japan and officially merged with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.'s Scientific, Technical, and Medical business in February 2007. Blackwell's mission as an expert publisher is to create long-term partnerships with our clients that enhance learning, disseminate research, and improve the quality of professional practice. For more information on Blackwell Publishing, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com or www.blackwell-synergy.com.


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