The ancient Egyptians used sutures made of linen and animal sinew. In South Africa and India, the heads of large biting ants were used as clamps to hold the edges of wounds together. For centuries, humans have used natural and artificial materials to repair all kinds of tissues. More than 4,000 years later, American engineer Kristi Anseth is studying how newer, more sophisticated biomaterials assist in regenerating cartilage, help bones heal faster, and provide a better understanding of some diseases.
Biomaterials can play a key role in helping our bodies heal themselves, said Anseth, who received the 2020 LOral-UNESCO For Women in Science international award in late June (after a two-year pandemic hiatus). In an interview with EL PAS conducted at the awards ceremony in Paris, the researcher who specializes in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, and also designs synthetic materials that imitate our tissues, said, We are using materials designed for textile products like mattresses or clothing, and making them interact with the human body.
Biomaterials can be used to deliver molecules that help [injured or diseased] tissues heal faster, said Anseth, who is also an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado in the United States. When you only inject cells and nothing else, sometimes they dont survive very well on their own. They need a three-dimensional environment a biomaterial that can provide the scaffolding and instructions on where and when to grow the right kind of tissue.
Many types of biomaterials are commonly used today heart valves, hip joint replacements, and dental implants. They are made from cells, living tissues, metals, ceramics, plastics, and glass. The US National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering notes that biomaterials can be used in molded or machined parts, coatings, fibers, films, foams, and fabrics for biomedical products and devices. Anseth highlights the potential of degradable sutures that can bind tissues together and dissolve once they have healed.
Anseth explains how biomaterials are used to heal arthritis, an inflammation of the joints that can cause pain and swelling. What usually happens, says Anseth, is that the cartilage that lines a joint like the knee wears down. When you dont have that lubricating cartilage surface in between and bones are grinding against each other its painful, she said. But we have a lot of extra cartilage in our body so we can take it from somewhere else, grow the cells in a bioreactor, and insert them into the joint to grow and regenerate that cartilage surface.
In addition, there are some proteins called growth factors, which can also help tissues and cells grow and heal themselves. Anseth says that these can be useful for fractured bones. Although our bones can usually heal on their own, sometimes a cast or plates and screws are needed. Its a long [healing] process, she said, and sometimes large defects caused by a car accident or bone cancer may not heal very well.
Anseth said a growth factor found in bone marrow can be useful in these cases, but theres a catch. You cant administer it on its own for a major bone injury because it could degrade. Thats where biomaterials come in. They can be used to deliver that [growth] factor locally for longer periods of time and at the right dose, time, and place.
Despite their great potential, biomaterials also have limitations. There is a risk of infection if they are not biocompatible. The presence of exogenous materials in the human body dates back to prehistoric times, as documented in a study published in Processes, a scientific journal. A spearhead embedded in the hip of Kennewick Man, a 9,000-year-old skeleton found in Washington state (US), and the use of carbon particles for tattooing are examples of foreign objects that were tolerated by human bodies centuries ago.
Two key factors determine the biocompatibility of a material, according to a study published in Materials: host reaction and degradation in the body. Sometimes, says Anseth, its difficult to get biomaterials to degrade at the same rate as new tissue growth. Moreover, getting a biomaterial to have all the desired properties is tricky. Bones, for example, are really strong and most biomaterials are not as strong or dont have the same properties, said Anseth.
More research is still needed to unravel all the mysteries of the human body. Anseth said: We have regenerated skin, cartilage, and blood vessels, and we have also helped bones heal faster. But we still need to do more [research]. For example, why doesnt the heart regenerate after a heart attack in the same manner as the skeletal muscles we use for walking and exercise?
Anseth foresees significant advances in medicine over the next 10 years. Were going to figure out how we can intervene earlier to get muscles to grow, repair cartilage. or heal nerves things that arent possible right now. One of her most ambitious goals is to counteract age-related health problems. Age, a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases, is often accompanied by a loss of body mass.
As we age, something happens to our cells, said Anseth. They have divided many times over a lifetime, and are no longer as active or able to repair themselves. Biomaterials could provide young stem cells to help muscles grow back. Aging is a complex natural process that we cant necessarily reverse, but we can improve the quality of life for people experiencing degeneration in their joints, muscles and hearts.
Link:
The engineer who teaches our bodies to heal themselves - EL PAS USA
- Glowing embryonic gecko hand and otherworldly slime mold amaze in winning microscope photos - Livescience.com - October 13th, 2022
- Sierra Space, UC San Diego Partner to Develop the First Stem Cell Research Institute in Space - Business Wire - October 4th, 2022
- Second-Line BCL Treatment Landscape Shifts From ASCT to CAR T-Cell Therapy - Targeted Oncology - October 4th, 2022
- CellResearch Corporation reports positive results of DFU trial - Labiotech.eu - September 25th, 2022
- University of Colorado's ocular stem cell and regenerative research program recognized - Ophthalmology Times - September 8th, 2022
- RoosterBio and AGC Biologics Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Manufacturing of Cell and Exosome Therapies - GlobeNewswire - August 22nd, 2022
- Patient Profile 1: A 63-Year-Old Female with Relapsed Multiple Myeloma - OncLive - August 22nd, 2022
- Stem Cell Therapy: Update and Clinical Research 2022 - August 14th, 2022
- Control in Healthcare: History and Reclamation of Bodily Autonomy - Non Profit News - Nonprofit Quarterly - July 19th, 2022
- This Simple Fish May Have Been One of the First Vertebrates - The Scientist - July 11th, 2022
- How Tumor Cells Use Mitochondria to Keep Growing - July 3rd, 2022
- Nearly 75 Percent Of Veterinarians Concerned That Frequent Injections Could Cause Joint Damage - Horse Racing News - Paulick Report - July 3rd, 2022
- OEDIT Announces Recipients of Collaborative Infrastructure Grant - Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade - June 22nd, 2022
- Politics Briefing: Conservative leadership race is intense, Bergen says, but she expects party unity once it's over - The Globe and Mail - June 13th, 2022
- Maine health care workers to appeal order to disclose their names in vaccine mandate lawsuit - Press Herald - June 4th, 2022
- America's return to the 19th century - York Dispatch - June 4th, 2022
- Top 10 Most Popular Stem Cell Treatments of 2022 - April 19th, 2022
- Will Smith's Slap at the Oscars Awakens the World to Alopecia Areata - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - April 19th, 2022
- Northern Colorado Doctor Researching New Treatment Options ... - December 24th, 2021
- Christmas Wish: 4-year-old just wants life-saving treatment for her twin brother - FOX 31 Denver - December 24th, 2021
- Breakthrough infections might not be a big transmission risk. Heres the evidence. - WBEZ - October 16th, 2021
- The race to treat a rare, fatal syndrome may help others with common disorders like diabetes - Science Magazine - February 14th, 2021
- Stem Cell Therapy Market Size, Top Key Players, Applications, Business Statistics, Trends and Forecast 2021-2027 The Bisouv Network - The Bisouv... - February 7th, 2021
- More on deadly blizzards | TheFencePost.com - Fence Post - February 7th, 2021
- 'A heart of gold': Rick Schwartz remembered for his commitment to family, community - CTV News - November 13th, 2020
- Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer think twice before saying he lost his battle with the disease - MarketWatch - November 13th, 2020
- Culprit Mutations, Risky (Neandertal) Variants, Genomic Analysis App: COVID-19 Updates - Bio-IT World - October 7th, 2020
- Stem Cell Therapy Market Size, Analytical Overview, Key Players, Growth Factors, Demand, Trends And Forecast to 2027 - thedailychronicle.in - September 30th, 2020
- Cancer Stem Cells Market is Thriving Worldwide 2020-2027 | Top Companies Merck KGaA, ONCOMED PHARMACEUTICALS INC, Bionomics, MacroGenics, Inc.,... - September 9th, 2020
- 27 De-Stressing Vegan Products to Help You Get Through The Rest of 2020 - VegNews - September 9th, 2020
- THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP: OXFORD AND SUNWAY - The Star Online - September 9th, 2020
- Colorados juvenile prisons have avoided COVID-19 outbreaks, but advocates worry about the future - The Denver Post - May 30th, 2020
- Future Leader Winner Using Technology To Solve The Problems He Sees - CBS Denver - May 30th, 2020
- SONDERMANN | Is it time to send a scientist to the Senate? - coloradopolitics.com - April 18th, 2020
- 5 Things to Know About Hemp-CBD In Pet Products - The Fresh Toast - April 18th, 2020
- Alone, together: Isolation in the name of health is familiar - Coloradoan - March 24th, 2020
- Stem Cell Therapy Colorado - thriveMD Denver & Vail, CO - March 20th, 2020
- Little Tissue, Big Mission: Beating Heart Tissues to Ride Aboard The ISS - Newswise - March 9th, 2020
- Denver Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Therapy - March 1st, 2020
- 5 most popular innovation stories in Houston this week - InnovationMap - January 5th, 2020
- Chiropractor Denver Announces Hormone Replacement Therapy Colorado Springs to Transform Life of Aging People - Press Release - Digital Journal - November 24th, 2019
- Cord Blood Banking Services Market size with global investment, top companies analysis, new business developments and forecast 2025 - Montana Ledger - November 16th, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy - Boulder, Colorado | Boulder Biologics |Jason Glowney, MD | Stem Cells - Denver, Colorado | PRP | Regenerative Medicine | EPAT |... - May 20th, 2019
- Stem Cells and Hearing Loss - Sound Relief Hearing Center - May 1st, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy - Boulder, Colorado | Boulder Biologics ... - April 20th, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain and Soft Tissue, Colorado - April 12th, 2019
- Stem Cells from Fat vs. Bone Marrow Best Sources for ... - April 7th, 2019
- CROM Stem Cell Therapy- Denver, Colorado - March 27th, 2019
- Gene expression in stem cells | Data Nuggets - March 7th, 2019
- Denver Stem Cell | Area's Leading Stem Cell Doctors - February 22nd, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy - Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group - January 16th, 2019
- Using Stem Cells to Treat Sepsis - Stem Cell Centers, Colorado - November 28th, 2018
- Stem Cell Fraud | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy - November 23rd, 2018
- Colorado Stem Cell Therapy | Home - October 1st, 2018
- FAQ | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy - October 1st, 2018
- Stem Cell Therapy | Spine & Joint Solutions - Colorado Springs - July 29th, 2018
- In Depth About Regenerative Therapy | Regen Colorado - July 25th, 2018
- Pepsi: Aborted Baby Cells in Drink Research | Colorado ... - July 15th, 2018
- Stem Cell Therapy in Colorado | Aspen Integrative Medicine - June 23rd, 2018
- Stem Cell Therapy Denver Colorado - Colorado Rehabilitation - June 18th, 2018
- Stem Cell PRP Therapy | Colorado Stem Cell Therapy - June 18th, 2018
- Stem Cell Therapy - Colorado Springs Orthopedics - October 14th, 2017
- Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinic in Vail & Denver, Colorado ... - September 25th, 2017
- 'Little Frankenstein,' conceived so Minnesota doctors could save sister, is now a happy teen - Minneapolis Star Tribune - June 25th, 2017
- What happens when scientists leave their labs to experiment with politics? - Los Angeles Times - June 21st, 2017
- Regenexx: injections soon will replace orthopedic surgery - Broomfield Enterprise - June 21st, 2017
- How a simple cheek swab can save a life - FOX31 Denver - June 4th, 2017
- Ground broken on new $US65 million facility at Colorado State University - Horsetalk - June 4th, 2017
- SpaceX to launch CU-built heart, bone health experiments to space station - CU Boulder Today - June 4th, 2017
- Translational Medicine Institute launched at Colorado State University - Source - June 4th, 2017
- Giraffe 'sneakers' in use at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! - KKTV 11 News - May 24th, 2017
- For the first time ever, researchers produced lab-grown blood stem cells - Colorado Springs Gazette - May 24th, 2017
- Chattanooga Student Surprised to be a Gift of Life Donor - WDEF News 12 - May 24th, 2017
- Is Autologous Heamatopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Still Viable for MS? - LWW Journals - May 19th, 2017
- Stem Cell Transplants May Work for MS, Study Says - LWW Journals (blog) - April 20th, 2017
- 'Priming' protein boosts stem cell response to injury, promotes healing - FierceBiotech - April 20th, 2017
- Overcoming Opioids: The quest for less addictive drugs - Colorado Springs Gazette - April 20th, 2017
- Climbing mountains for cancer research - The Wilton Bulletin - April 20th, 2017
- Australian of the Year Alan Mackay-Sim on the advantage of being 'an interested scientist' - The Sydney Morning Herald - April 9th, 2017
- Northern Colorado Surgeon Releases Three Year Results of Bone Marrow Stem Cell Treatment - PR Web (press release) - April 5th, 2017