By injecting adult stem cells into lab mice and nurturing the right environment, Korean scientists have harvested bone tissues. The team of Korean researchers, led by Kim Hyong-bum of the state-run National Health Institute, said they seeded multipotent human marrow stem cells and used chemicals, vitamin C and hormones, to create mineralized bone tissues in three weeks after the implant.

The fundamental technology centers on the stem cell's characteristic to regenerate or repair bone, blood and skin and the latest breakthrough is hoped to replace existing methods of bone tissue generation using a protein growth factor. The previous method, scientists say, has potential risks of creating cancer and is a very expensive procedure.

After three to four years of clinical testing, scientists believe the new method can be approved for commercial use. Standing to benefit are patients suffering from bone and cartilage damage and those wishing to grow taller through surgical operation. Researchers claim their method is the simplest and most cost-effective approach to bone-tissue engineering.

Their study will be carried in the July 15 edition of the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

Arirang TV