Plasters can heal chronic wounds and magnets strengthen weak muscles. But bones can’t regrow by themselves.
Typically, new bone cells are made using stem cells extracted from bone marrow, a complex and expensive procedure that is also painful for patients.
Now an Australian research team has found a better solution. In their method, stem cells extracted from fat tissue, for example, are treated with high-frequency sound waves.
These are generated using a low-cost microchip device, which was developed in-house and eradicates the need for medication that stimulates growth.
The easily scalable process is faster than previous methods. Stem cells can be coated onto an implant or injected directly into the affected area.
Next step: developing a bioreactor. Break a leg!
