Biodegradable 'nanobone' could one day help regrow bone without painful grafts
For children born with cleft lip and palate, repairing gaps in the jawbone often means waiting until they are 10 to 12 years old before undergoing invasive bone graft surgery. University of Sydney researchers have developed a biodegradable "nanobone" material that allows the body to harness its own healing properties to regrow bone, offering a potential future alternative to procedures that have…
This research, authored by University of Sydney scientists, introduces a biodegradable nanobone material capable of regrowing bone without the need for painful grafts. Traditionally, repairing jawbone gaps in children with cleft lip and palate required invasive surgery, often not performed until the child reached 10-12 years old.
The new material, developed by researchers from the University of Sydney School of Dentistry, Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney Nano, and the University of Queensland, activates the body's natural healing processes, leading to more robust bone regeneration. Tests in preclinical models demonstrated the material generated approximately 80% more new bone than a control material after eight weeks, and activated key bone repair growth factors at ten times the level achieved with conventional methods.
The material works by activating dormant repair signals in the body, attracting bone-forming stem cells, and stimulating new bone growth. Beyond cleft lip and palate, the technology holds potential for treating traumatic injuries, tooth loss, and other complex bone defects. Further testing is required before human trials can commence.
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