This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8446637.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Turning wood into bones Turning wood into bones
(4 days later)
By Duncan Kennedy BBC News, RomeBy Duncan Kennedy BBC News, Rome
This was once a piece of rattan woodThis was once a piece of rattan wood
A novel - and natural - way of creating new bones for humans could be just a few years away.A novel - and natural - way of creating new bones for humans could be just a few years away.
Scientists in Italy have developed a way of turning rattan wood into bone that is almost identical to the human tissue.Scientists in Italy have developed a way of turning rattan wood into bone that is almost identical to the human tissue.
At the Istec laboratory of bioceramics in Faenza near Bologna, a herd of sheep have already been implanted with the bones.At the Istec laboratory of bioceramics in Faenza near Bologna, a herd of sheep have already been implanted with the bones.
The process starts by cutting the long tubular rattan wood up into manageable pieces.The process starts by cutting the long tubular rattan wood up into manageable pieces.
It is then snipped into even smaller chunks, ready for the complex chemical process to begin.It is then snipped into even smaller chunks, ready for the complex chemical process to begin.
The pieces are put in a furnace and heated.The pieces are put in a furnace and heated.
In simple terms, carbon and calcium are added.In simple terms, carbon and calcium are added.
The wood is then further heated under intense pressure in another oven-like machine and a phosphate solution is introduced.The wood is then further heated under intense pressure in another oven-like machine and a phosphate solution is introduced.
'Very promising''Very promising'
After around 10 days, the rattan wood has been transformed into the bone-like material. After about 10 days, the rattan wood has been transformed into the bone-like material.
The team is lead by Dr Anna Tampieri.The team is lead by Dr Anna Tampieri.
Within months, the real and artificial bone will have fusedWithin months, the real and artificial bone will have fused
"It's proving very promising" she says. "This new bone material is strong, so it can take heavy loads that bodies will put on it. "It's proving very promising," she says. "This new bone material is strong, so it can take heavy loads that bodies will put on it.
"It is also durable, so, unlike existing bone substitutes, it won't need replacing". "It is also durable, so, unlike existing bone substitutes, it won't need replacing."
Several types of wood were tested before they found rattan works best.Several types of wood were tested before they found rattan works best.
That is because of its structure and porous properties, which enable blood, nerves and other compounds to travel through it. Dr Tampieri says it is the closest scientists have ever come to replicating the human bone because, she says: "It eventually fuses with real bone, so in time, you don't even see the join". That is because of its structure and porous properties, which enable blood, nerves and other compounds to travel through it. Dr Tampieri says it is the closest scientists have ever come to replicating the human bone because, she says: "It eventually fuses with real bone, so in time, you don't even see the join."
The new wood bone is being closely studied at the nearby Bologna University hospital.The new wood bone is being closely studied at the nearby Bologna University hospital.
That is where orthopaedic surgeons like Maurillo Marcacci are monitoring the sheep tests.That is where orthopaedic surgeons like Maurillo Marcacci are monitoring the sheep tests.
The x-rays of the sheep's legs show the progress they are making. The X-rays of the sheep's legs show the progress they are making.
A strong, durable, load-bearing bone is really the holy grail for surgeons like me and for patients Maurillo MarcacciA strong, durable, load-bearing bone is really the holy grail for surgeons like me and for patients Maurillo Marcacci
Particles from the sheep's own bones are migrating to the bone made from wood.Particles from the sheep's own bones are migrating to the bone made from wood.
Within a few months, the real and the artificial bone will be like one continuous bone.Within a few months, the real and the artificial bone will be like one continuous bone.
Mr Marcacci says that existing bone substitutes, like metal or ceramic, or bones from dead bodies, all have their drawbacks.Mr Marcacci says that existing bone substitutes, like metal or ceramic, or bones from dead bodies, all have their drawbacks.
He says for people with major trauma accidents or cancer, the current range of alternatives can be weak and do not fuse with the existing bone.He says for people with major trauma accidents or cancer, the current range of alternatives can be weak and do not fuse with the existing bone.
The new wood bones, he says, could be a major step forward.The new wood bones, he says, could be a major step forward.
"A strong, durable, load-bearing bone is really the holy grail for surgeons like me and for patients" he says. "A strong, durable, load-bearing bone is really the holy grail for surgeons like me and for patients," he says.
The new bone-from-wood programme is being funded by the European Union.The new bone-from-wood programme is being funded by the European Union.
Implants into humans are about five years away.Implants into humans are about five years away.
But with no signs of rejection or infection in the sheep, there is real hope here that a natural, cheap and effective replacement for bones is now possible.But with no signs of rejection or infection in the sheep, there is real hope here that a natural, cheap and effective replacement for bones is now possible.
Bones from wood could soon be opening up a new branch of medical science.Bones from wood could soon be opening up a new branch of medical science.