Researchers at the Imperial College London have grown cartilage cells from embryonic stem cells. The research could help treat sports injuries, hip replacements and even cosmetic surgery. Stem cells could be taken from the patient, grown in a laboratory, and then transplant them after the surgery.

The research involved growing human embryonic stem cells with chondrocytes or cartilage cells in Petri dishes in the lab. The converted cells were then implanted in mice on a “scaffold” for 35 days. When this scaffold was removed, the cells had formed new cartilage, which the researchers say shows they can be successfully transplanted in living tissue.

The Imperial team say it could take around five years for the necessary research to be carried out to enable this technique to be used in patients.

Via BBC News.

Two kidney dialysis patients from Argentina have received the world’s first blood vessels grown in a laboratory dish from snippets of their own skin, a technique that might someday offer a new source of arteries and veins for diabetics and other patients.

To grow blood vessels, doctors from Cytograft Tissue Engineering took a small piece of skin and a vein from the back of the hand, and nurtured them in a dish with growth enhancers to help produce substances like collagen and elastin.

The process produced two types of tissue: one that forms the tough structure or backbone of the vessel and one that lines it and helps it to function.

The feel of the new tissue “was very similar to the other vessels” that were present from birth, said Dr. Sergio Garrido.

In the future, doctors hope the homegrown vessels will prevent amputations in diabetics who suffer from poor circulation, and give heart-bypass patients new veins or arteries to detour around blocked vessels. The method may also hold promise for children born with defective blood vessels.

Via The New York Times.