Using a stem cell technique, researchers have developed a process for healing and regenerating structures that look, feel, and act like bones.

The new stem cell process was developed by scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). They were assisted by Monash University and Riken Center for Developmental Biology.

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The technique allows the development of cells right before they form cartilage. Researchers have tested this revolutionary technique on mice. The cells are called chondrocyte precursor cells.

After being brought to that pre-cartilage state, the cells are injected into mice where they transform and develop into structures with the appearance and function of bone.

Researchers said the cells can easily be produced, making it a plausible procedure for humans, as well.

They went on to say the technique has the potential to repair damaged cartilage and bone in joints and the spine.

Scientists previously tried to grow bone with the use of stem cells. The problem was that they were using adult stem cells located in the area to be regenerated and that have some normal cell properties.

This time, they used embryonic stem cells instead. For these tests, researchers took the embryonic stem cells out of mice embryos.

Stem cells are cells that don;t have a specific function in the body, and can be transformed into a number of different cells.

That is exactly what the scientists did. Scientists said that they didn't use proteins (a material normally used to transform the stem cells) since these were too expensive.

Instead, they used small molecules to transform and activate the stem cells accurately.  

TagsGrowing bones, Regeneration, bones, UTHealth, stem cells