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Bone Tissue Engineering
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For more information see:
- Tissue Engineering 2:51-59, 1996.
- Analaytical and Quantitative Cytology and Histology 20: 199-206, 1998.
- Biomaterials 20:2007-2018, 1999.
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The ultimate goal of our research involves fabricating vascularized bone for reconstructive surgery. This can be accomplished by using a combination of cell transplantation, cytokine induction factors, and biocompatible polymers. We have used a large animal ovine model to test the feasibility of creating large molded vascularized bone and to test various tissue engineering strategies. |
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Figure 1: Overall bone tissue engineering strategy. Porous, biodegradable polymer scaffolds (B) are milled into mandible-shaped templates (A), which are subsequently seeded with osteoblasts obtained via biopsy (C) and required growth factors (D). The entire construct is then connected to a blood supply in vivo (E) and bone is allowed to form. The formed mandible (F) is removed and transferred as a free flap to reconstruct the patient's compromised mandible. |
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Figure 2: Tissue engineered bone chambers have been designed to incorporate dental implants. |
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Figure 3: Bone of complex, 3D shapes can be formed (from ovine study). |
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Figure 4: As quality control, cell-specific proteins and growth factors must be assayed in ex vivo bone cultures. Osteopontin staining of cultured rat osteoblasts. |
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Figure 5: Bone block formed when chamber was placed against sheep periosteum. A vascular pedicle is attached. |
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