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Developing Three-Dimensional Constructs (Image A)
Caption:
Mechanical and biomedical engineer Robert Guldberg and his research team at Georgia Tech is developing three-dimensional, implantable constructs to enhance the repair and regeneration of bone within an organism. One approach attempts to mimic the natural process of bone repair by implanting cartilage constructs created in an incubator into bone defects. A tissue-engineered construct is a combination of living cells and porous biomaterial that form a living matrix for transplantation.
This project is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. [See related images, Developing Three-Dimensional Constructs, Image B and Image C.]
More about this Image:
NSF-supported researcher Robert Guldberg and his team at Georgia Tech are developing clinically effective constructs to replace or restore damaged bone and cartilage. Cartilage is bone's natural scaffold during a process called endochondral ossification, which is responsible for bone development, growth, and fracture healing.
Also being developed are biomaterials that use genetically modified cells or bioactive scaffolds to stimulate the repair of defects caused by injury or diseases like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. It is the hope that ultimately this technology will help lead to future advances in next generation orthopedic implants.
Guldberg is also investigating the possibility of mechanically stimulating a bone graft repair by applying controlled, intermittent force using an in vivo hydraulic bone chamber system. Understanding how mechanics influences the repair of tissue-engineered constructs would provide microstructural design objectives for manufacturing effective biomaterial scaffolds.
(Preview Only)
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| Credit: |
Photo by Gary Meeks |
| Year of Image: |
2000 |
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Categories:
BIOLOGICAL / Bioengineering
ENGINEERING / Bioengineering
Formats Available:
JPEG Format - 2.23M - 716 x 1090 pixel image - 300 DPI
Restrictions:
Permission is granted by the Georgia Institute of Technology to use this image for personal, educational, nonprofit/non-commercial, or editorial use only. Any other use of this image is prohibited.
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