Skin tissue grown in the lab has been used to heal patients’ wounds in tests. Scientists from the British biotechnology company Intercytex Group Plc developed the artificial skin, ‘ICX-SKN’, which is able to integrate successfully into surrounding tissue.
ICX-SKN is a matrix of skin cells called fibroblasts, which are the same cells responsible for creating collagen in natural skin. The fibroblasts are taken from donors and encouraged to grow in the lab. As they grow, they build a mesh-like framework – just as they would in real skin. Within a month of treatment, ICX-SKN melds with the patient’s own skin.
This new breakthrough could mean an end to painful skin grafts, currently the best available option for those suffering serious wounds such as burns. The next step is to test the synthetic skin on larger wounds. The researchers eventually hope to create an off-the-shelf product.
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