www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

A wonder glass 'that regenerates bones'

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Jun 06, 2008 at 1456 hrs IST

London, June 6: Bone transplantation could soon be a passe. The reason: A new type of glass, which will allow patients to regrow bones by dissolving and releasing calcium into the body is all set to hit the medical market.

A team at Imperial College London has developed the porous glass, which is capable of acting as an active template for new bone growth, dissolving in the body without leaving any trace of it or any toxic chemicals.

As it dissolves it releases calcium and other elements such as silicon into the adjacent body fluids stimulating bone growth, according to the researchers.

The glass activates genes present in human bone cells, which encode proteins controlling the bone cell cycle and the differentiation of the cell to form bone matrix and rapid mineralisation of bone nodules.

"It is the release of soluble silica and calcium ions in specific concentrations that activate the genes. Gene activation occurs only when the timing sequence of the cell cycle is matched by that of the glass surface reactions and controlled release of the ions.

"To allow people to remain active, and to contribute to society for longer, the need for new materials to replace and repair worn out and damaged tissues becomes ever more important," the researchers said.

The researchers are carrying out further experiments at the Science and Technology Facilities Council's laboratory in the United Kingdom before the glass is ready for clinical trials.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

Trinamool-Cong combine bags 5 seats, leading in 3 others

Cong retains all three assembly seats in Kerala bypolls

Out on parole, Manu Sharma returns to Tihar 'voluntarily'

Raj-Azmi rivalry goes a long way

Two Patil heads rolled after 26/11, one defends the other

Hawala dealer from Indonesia and Koda’s CA key to probe

11 days later, IOC fire over

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map