Bioengineers at the University of California at San Diego have created artificial cartilage that mimics natural human cartilage. Using a technique invented by researchers at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Robert Sah and colleagues organized different types of cells called chrondrocytes to produce the multi-layered material, which mimics the stratified structure and cellular functions of natural cartilage tissue. Furthermore, as the engineered tissue is similar to immature cartilage, it should grow to fit the patient’s joint. The researchers are optimistic that the tissue could be developed into implants to replace damaged cartilage and are hoping to carry out animal studies on the tissue to determine its efficacy.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by the University Of California at San Diego (www.ucsd.edu) on the 8th October 2001
