Scientists 'developing body tissue'

LONDON : British scientists are on track to soon manufacture body tissue -- new skin, blood and even bones, a groundbreaking development which will benefit people suffering from damaged eyes, broken bones or scarred skin.

A team, led by team leader Robert Brown at University College London, has already pioneered a cutting-edge, simple, technique that will enable doctors to make customised human tissue, such as corneas, skin, nerve implants and cartilage, within minutes for patients.

In fact, they've developed a process that manufactures human tissue by squeezing out the water from collagen -- the protein which makes up 25% of our body weight, 'The Independent' reported.

Skin, bone, cartilage and ligaments are all made up of layers of collagen or connective tissue. However, this can wear out as we get older; it can also be damaged by sporting injuries or accidents, the scientists said.

According to them, the ability to develop made-to- measure layers of tissue or "spare parts" for a particular person will revolutionise reconstructive surgery as it could simplify imperfect, expensive and invasive operations such as corneal transplants, skin grafts and total knee replacements.