Jewellery grown from human bone

December 11th, 2006

“Couples are being given the opportunity to exchange jewellery made from samples of their bone grown in the laboratory” reports the BBC. The article details a joint project between Dr Ian Thompson, a research fellow at King’s College, and artists Tobie Kerridge and Nikki Stott. Living bone tissue was recovered from wisdom teeth and used to grow bone on a scaffold material called “bioglass”. The work is part of a collaborative effort to understand methods of crafting complex structures from bone tissue.

Eventually the techniques will be used to grow purpose-built repairs for patients with damaged bones.

Examples of biojewellery can be seen at an exhibition in the atrium of Guy’s Hospital, London, from 7 December until 14 February 2007.

Entry Filed under: General

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