Scientists Grow Living Human Knees in Lab Breakthrough

Researchers have successfully grown living human knees in a laboratory setting, offering a potential permanent solution for osteoarthritis patients. Scientists at Columbia University utilized biodegradable 3D-printed scaffolds seeded with bone and cartilage cells. Over approximately one year, these cells regenerated the joint's natural tissues as the scaffold dissolved.

This innovative approach aims to transform care for the 32 million Americans affected by osteoarthritis, a condition causing pain and mobility loss due to cartilage breakdown. Current treatments primarily manage symptoms or involve extensive joint replacement surgery. The lab-grown knees, potentially using a patient's own stem cells, have been tested in cadavers and are slated for pre-clinical and clinical trials over the next three years.

Additional breakthroughs backed by ARPA-H include potential injections to stimulate cartilage and bone regrowth, showing promise in animal tests and nearing human trials. Researchers at Duke University and the University of Colorado, Boulder, are developing therapies that recruit the body's own cells to repair damaged joints within weeks. These advancements collectively aim to address the root cause of osteoarthritis, enabling patients to maintain activity and independence.