For the first time in the world, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology (Gothenburg, Sweden) will attempt to grow a new human ear on a person's head using nanocellulose as a bioreactor and a patient's own stem cells and cartilage.
The scientists will build a three dimensional network of nanocellulose, that is an exact mirror image of the patients healthy outer ear. This structure will have enough mechanical stability to be able to function as a bioreactor for the growth of a new ear, directly on the patient's head, using the patient’s own cartilage and stem cells.
The research program includes a number of university partners, hospitals and companies in Europe. It is led by Chalmers professor Paul Gatenholm and funded by EuroNanoMed.
“At this point we do not know if it is going to work. It is a very exciting project that combines competences in image analysis, prototyping, biomechanics, biopolymers and cellular biology. If we succeed, there are a number of new areas of application,” says Paul Gatenholm.
As the first group in the world, the researchers from Chalmers build up body parts using nano-cellulose and the body's own cells.
Professor Paul Gatenholm at Chalmers manages and coordinates the European research program, which will build an ear with the help of nano-cellulose and a mixture of the patient's own cartilage cells and stem cells.
“We are of course very pleased that this shows that we are in the top level in European nanomedicine. But above all it is exciting that we now take even more steps with new applications of nano-cellulose,”he says.
Previously, Paul Gatenholm and his colleagues succeeded in developing artificial blood vessels of nano-cellulose, in close cooperation with Sahlgrenska University Hospital by using small bacteria that "spin" the cellulose.
In the new program, researchers will build a three-dimensional network of nano-cellulose, which is an exact copy of the patient's healthy ear and to make a mirror image of it. The form will have enough mechanical stability for use as a bioreactor. This means that the patient's own cartilage and their own stem cells can be grown directly in the body or the patient, in this case on its head.
“We do not know yet if it will work. It is a very exciting project that combines expertise in image analysis, prototyping, biomechanics, biopolymers and cell biology. If we succeed, there are a number of exciting new applications, says Gatenholm.
Funding comes from the European Network of Nanomedicine, EuroNanoMed, which is designed to shorten the time from research to application in nanomedicine. Research Council and VINNOVA participating in the network.
“We are of course very pleased that this shows that we are in the top level in European nanomedicine. But above all it is exciting that we now take even more steps with new applications of nano-cellulose,”he says.
Previously, Paul Gatenholm and his colleagues succeeded in developing artificial blood vessels of nano-cellulose, in close cooperation with Sahlgrenska University Hospital by using small bacteria that "spin" the cellulose.
In the new program, researchers will build a three-dimensional network of nano-cellulose, which is an exact copy of the patient's healthy ear and to make a mirror image of it. The form will have enough mechanical stability for use as a bioreactor. This means that the patient's own cartilage and their own stem cells can be grown directly in the body or the patient, in this case on its head.
“We do not know yet if it will work. It is a very exciting project that combines expertise in image analysis, prototyping, biomechanics, biopolymers and cell biology. If we succeed, there are a number of exciting new applications, says Gatenholm.
Funding comes from the European Network of Nanomedicine, EuroNanoMed, which is designed to shorten the time from research to application in nanomedicine. Research Council and VINNOVA participating in the network.
The program on nano-cellulose also include the biomechanical group from the Technical University ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, clinicians from Ulm University Medical Center in Germany and the Erasmus MC, University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, as well as two smaller companies, CellMed from Germany and Cellco Tec from the Netherlands.
Cellulose-based materials are of strategic importance for Sweden and materials is one of Chalmers eight areas of strength. Biopolymers are very interesting because they are renewable and can have a significant impact on the development of future materials.
The program is part of the Wallenberg Wood Science Center which is run in collaboration between KTH and Chalmers led by Professor Lars Berglund, KTH.
Professor Paul Gatenholm
For more information, contact:
Professor Paul Gatenholm, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg.
Tel: 031-772 34 07, mobile: 0707-535750
Original Press Release: http://chalmersnyheter.chalmers.se/Article.jsp?article=14528 in Swedish
