We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Stem Cell Development Could Lead to New Nanoscale Bone Repair Technology

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Feb 2013
British scientists have created a new application to help generate bone cells that could lead to groundbreaking bone repair therapies for individuals with bone fractures or those who need hip replacement surgery due to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

The research, performed by Dr. More...
Emmajayne Kingham, from the University of Southampton (UK), working with colleagues the University of Glasgow (Scotland, UK), and published online January 30, 2013, in the journal Small, cultured human embryonic stem cells on to the surface of plastic materials and evaluated their capability to change.

Scientists were able to use the nanotopographic patterns on the biomedical plastic to manipulate human embryonic stem cells towards bone cells. This was accomplished without any chemical enhancement. The compounds, including the biomedical implantable substance polycarbonate plastic, provide an available and less expensive way of culturing human embryonic stem cells and presents new avenues for future medical research in this field.

Prof. Richard Oreffo, who led the University of Southampton team, explained, “To generate bone cells for regenerative medicine and further medical research remains a significant challenge. However, we have found that by harnessing surface technologies that allow the generation and ultimately scale up of human embryonic stem cells to skeletal cells, we can aid the tissue engineering process. This is very exciting. Our research may offer a whole new approach to skeletal regenerative medicine. The use of nanotopographical patterns could enable new cell culture designs, new device designs, and could herald the development of new bone repair therapies as well as further human stem cell research.”

This latest discovery expands on the close collaborative research earlier undertaken by the University of Southampton and the University of Glasgow. In 2011, the scientists effectively used plastic with embossed nanopatterns to cultivate and spread adult stem cells while maintaining their stem cell properties, a process that is less expensive and simpler to produce than earlier ways of manufacturing.

Dr. Nikolaj Gadegaard, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology at the University of Glasgow, remarked, “Our previous collaborative research showed exciting new ways to control mesenchymal stem cell--stem cells from the bone marrow of adults—growth and differentiation on nanoscale patterns. This new Southampton-led discovery shows a totally different stem cell source, embryonic, also respond in a similar manner and this really starts to open this new field of discovery up. With more research impetus, it gives us the hope that we can go on to target a wider variety of degenerative conditions than we originally aspired to. This result is of fundamental significance.”

Related Links:
University of Southampton
University of Glasgow



Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Silver Member
Quality Control Material
NATtrol Chlamydia trachomatis Positive Control
New
Sample Transportation System
Tempus1800 Necto
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A diagnostic test can distinguish patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who can be cured with surgery alone (Photo courtesy of University of Turku)

Novel Diagnostic Tool to Revolutionize Treatment Guidance of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a solid tumor type commonly treated with surgery. However, there has been no clinically available method to determine which patients can be cured with surgery... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The 3D paper-based analytical device has shown high clinical accuracy for adult-onset immunodeficiency (Photo courtesy of National Taiwan University)

Paper-Based Device Accurately Detects Immune Defects in 10 Minutes

Patients with hidden immune defects are especially vulnerable to severe and persistent infections, often due to autoantibodies that block interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a key molecule in immune defense.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The groundbreaking salmonella antimicrobial resistance prediction platform has demonstrated 95% accuracy (Photo courtesy of Yujie You et al., DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.01.013)

New Platform Leverages AI and Quantum Computing to Predict Salmonella Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella strains are a growing public health concern due to the overuse of antimicrobials and the rise of genetic mutations. Accurate prediction of resistance is crucial for effective... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.