11.12.2024

Researchers from the University of Nottingham have developed a new blood-derived material capable of repairing bones. This "biocooperative" material, created from a patient's own blood, has the potential to become a key tool for personalized regenerative therapies.

Image: A transparent container with circular compartments filled with red liquid, featuring 3D-printed structures; Copyright: University of Nottingham

Researchers holding 3D printed blood constructs.

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The research, conducted by experts from the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, focuses on the use of peptide molecules. These peptides are designed to guide the natural processes involved in tissue healing. By combining synthetic peptides with whole blood from the patient, the team has created a material that mimics the body's own regenerative processes.

How the blood-based material works

When the body experiences a fracture or rupture, blood plays a critical role in initiating healing. Initially, blood forms a regenerative hematoma (RH), a living environment rich in cells, macromolecules, and growth factors that promote healing. The new method developed by the researchers replicates and enhances this process. The blood-derived material maintains the essential properties of the natural RH, such as platelet activity, generation of growth factors, and the recruitment of necessary cells.

Importantly, the material can be assembled, manipulated, and even 3D printed. This makes it a versatile tool for creating implants that can be tailored to individual patients. In tests on animal models, the team successfully demonstrated that the blood-derived material could repair bone.

A step toward personalized regenerative therapies

Dr. Cosimo Ligorio, co-author of the study and from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham, says "The possibility to easily and safely turn people’s blood into highly regenerative implants is really exciting. Blood is practically free and can be easily obtained from patients in relatively high volumes. Our aim is to establish a toolkit that could be easily accessed and used within a clinical setting to rapidly and safely transform patients’ blood into rich, accessible, and tuneable regenerative implants".

The development of this "biocooperative" material represents a significant step towards personalized regenerative therapies, offering a potential solution for patients requiring bone repairs or other regenerative treatments.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University of Nottingham

More about the University of Nottigham at: www.nottingham.ac.uk