What are regenerative therapies?

Regenerative therapies help the body to heal itself. Cells, “genetic constructs”, and other biological building blocks, together with bio-engineered materials are used to help the body repair its own damaged tissue or to create simple replacement “spare parts”, for example bone, cartilage and lung tissue. Some bioactive materials can also improve repair of damaged tissue without the addition of cells.

The new field of tissue engineering brings together the scientific disciplines of biology, materials science and biomedical engineering directed towards the long term repair and replacement of failing human tissues and organs. A host of human conditions can be addressed from the chronic to the life- threatening. Most obviously the ability to repair or replace tissue that has degenerated addresses directly a wide range of ailments and diseases associated with the aging process from hair loss to renewed joint replacements and even damage to the lungs. In the nearer term improved treatments for chronic wounds and urinary incontinence are realistic targets.