Better Scaffolds, Better Regeneration
The Harvard Gazette reports on advances in scaffold technology for regenerative cell therapies: "We transplant the cells on a scaffold that keeps them alive, then directs them to leave in a controlled manner and migrate into the surrounding tissue. This is the first time that has been done. ... I think the basic concept is a very powerful one that will likely have application in humans in some form. We demonstrated the concept with muscle, and this could be useful to treat wounds and, perhaps some day, muscular dystrophy. In addition, it could be very useful in transplantation of cells to the heart to treat coronary artery diseases, to transplant cells that promote blood vessel formation, to transplant cells to the brain to treat various neurological conditions, and to transplant cells to promote bone generation."
Link: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/03.02/01-transplant.html