|
Newfound protein can lead to more reliable healing
of fractures
National Institutes of Health: $1.9M
Researchers in UCLA’s Henry Samueli School
of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Dentistry
have discovered
and isolated a natural molecule — dubbed University of California
Bone (UCB) — that can be used to heal fractures and generate
new bone growth in patients who lack it. The discovery is potentially
the most significant advance in bone regeneration since another
UCLA scientist in the 1960s discovered bone morphogenetic proteins,
which are used by orthopaedic surgeons to aid in bone repair.
For the average person, this new development potentially means
faster, more reliable bone healing with fewer side effects at a
lower cost. And in more severe cases,
such as children born with congenital anomalies, the new protein
may offer an advanced solution to address bone deficiencies.
The new protein differs significantly from bone morphogenetic protein
in that UCB potentially has fewer side effects. With bone morphogenetic
proteins, bone formation has been observed to occur at locations
outside of the intended implant site, and tissue other than bone
also has been reported. UCB’s main effects, however, appear
to be more specific towards the bone formation process, giving
surgeons increased control over where bone forms.
 Press
release
|
