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Duke researchers use gene therapy to direct stem cells into
becoming new cartilage on a synthetic scaffold even after implantation into a
living body
By combining a synthetic scaffolding material with gene
delivery techniques, researchers at Duke University are getting closer to being
able to generate replacement cartilage where it's needed in the body.
Performing tissue repair with stem cells typically requires
applying copious amounts of growth factor proteins—a task that is very
expensive and becomes challenging once the developing material is implanted
within a body. In a new study, however, Duke researchers found a way around
this limitation by genetically altering the stem cells to make the necessary
growth factors all on their own.