There are many reasons why tissues and organs in our bodies can become damaged but many of the treatments today are only dealing with the symptoms. In contrast, the field of regenerative medicine seeks to replace the tissue or organs which have been damaged. Whether due to disease, trauma, or even congenital problems, this is an exciting an innovative area of medicine. While the work in this area is still ongoing, there are a few primary areas where regenerative medicine works.
Tissue Engineering
This is a field that is still being developed yet holds promise for millions of people. Tissue engineering uses a strategy where biologically compatible scaffolds are implanted in the body where new tissue needs to be formed. If the scaffold is in the same shape as the tissue which needs to be generated, the scaffold will attract cells which will then be in the shape desired. As it forms, the new tissue can be functional. Millions of people today have been treated with some type of tissue engineering with the majority in soft tissue regeneration.
Cellular Therapy
Adult stem cells are present in every human. These are the cells that the body uses to heal itself. Studies have shown that if adult stem cells are harvested and then injected in the area where there is diseased or damaged tissue, then the tissue can reconstruct itself under the right circumstances. These cells can be harvested from a number of organs. Additionally, cord blood is a rich source of stem cells. There are multiple studies and therapies which are ongoing so this field also has significant potential.
Medical Devices and Organs
This is one of the last areas of regenerative medicine and typically involves using an organ from a donor and replacing the damaged tissue. This could be skin, liver, and even hearts which are taken from one person and given to another. While this is an option, many times organs may not be available or be in limited supply.
Since this is a field which is constantly growing and developing, learn more at regenerativemedicinela.com. Many people today are experiencing new hope and opportunities thanks to the advancements in regenerative medicine. It’s likely that this area will continue to grow with significant improvements in the coming years. Many people today who are experiencing organ failure or damage look to regenerative medicine as an option to improve their quality of life.