Organs are formed during foetal development from various types of stem cells, which are activated by chemical signals. These same chemical signals can be used to induce stem cells in an adult body to recreate the organ. This works for healing tissues and, to a certain extent, for cartilage and tendons. Mechanical signals can also be used to direct the healing process in various ways. Another way is to replace the damaged tissue with a material that the body’s cells grow into and adjust themselves to. The cells can then break down the material at the same time as they retain the functional adaptation. An example of this is transplanted or artificial corneas.
Owing to difficulties in directing development inside the body, a large part of regenerative medicine works with cell and tissue cultures, usually with various types of stem cells. Cells in an organ depend on the tissues built up by their predecessors. Such material must therefore often be provided to the cultured cells. It is hoped that with combinations of artificial material and cultured cells, new functional tissue can be grown outside the body which can then be put into place. Owing to the lack of blood circulation in such artificial materials, up to now they have only worked in small amounts or in thin layers like skin.
Areas of Research
- Blood stem cells
- Medical materials
- Plastic surgery and tissue engineering
- Eyes
