01.10.01 - Researchers use synthetics to mimic the human body

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Researchers use synthetics to mimic the human body

10 Jan 2001 | Creating engineered tissue to replace or repair blood vessels, cartilage, joints, bones, or even the heart may sound like a 21st- century version of Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein," but the endeavor is fact, not fiction, thanks to the work of researchers like Kevin Healy.

By developing synthetic materials that mimic those found in the human body, Healy, associate professor of bioengineering, and his colleagues at UC San Francisco hope to reverse damage caused by disease or trauma and reduce the rejection, wear and failure of implanted tissues.

The materials may even be used to create tiny devices that could someday restore movement to paralyzed limbs or create more effective prosthetic devices. And thanks to recent funding by Gov. Gray Davis, Healy will be able to enhance this valuable research.

"With this money, we will be able to create state-of-the art laboratories to address the primary goals of biomimetic materials and tissue engineering," said Healy. "In these labs, we will attempt to understand the physical, mechanical and biochemical properties of human biological tissues and use this information to develop materials and tissues that imitate them."

"This research has the potential," said Healy, "to significantly advance the fields of biotechnology, medicine and dentistry."