Scientists in China have used a breakthrough technology to grow new ears for five children born with an ear defect called microtia.
Cartilage-forming cells were taken from the children’s ears and used to grow ear-shaped cartilage. Microtia is external ear malformation that can seriously influence the psychological and physiological well-being of affected children.
The scientiests used CT scanning and 3D printing to build a biodegradable scaffold that perfectly matches the 3D structure of the healthy ear of each of 5 children affected with Microtia.
The mold was filled in with cartilage cells taken from the children’s deformed ear that were further grown in the lab.
Over 12 weeks, the cells started to grow into the shape of the mold. This Ear-mold was then grafted onto the children. The children started getting natural-looking ear over time
News Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352396418300161
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