New research out of UMass Lowell suggests that eggshells could play a key role in enhancing bone growth.
According to researchers, eggshells could soon be used to help repair bones in patients with injuries due to aging, traumatic accidents, cancer and other fracture-related events. Using an innovative process, the crushed eggshells are inserted into a hydrogel mixture that helps to form a miniature frame to grow bone in a laboratory to be used during bone graft surgery. Bone cells are taken from the patient, introduced into the mixture and then grown in an incubator until the new bone can be implanted into the patient’s body.
Why Eggshells?
The reason eggshells help with this process is because they are made primarily out of calcium carbonate, which helps to increase the bone cells’ ability to grow and harden, essentially speeding up the healing process. Also, since the bone is generated from the patient’s own cells, the likelihood that it would be rejected by the body upon reinsertion is much lower.
Aside from bone, the process could also help grow new cartilage, tendons and even teeth.
“This is the first study that uses eggshell particles in a hydrogel matrix for bone repair. We have already filed a patent for it and are very excited about our results. We anticipate the process can be adapted for use in many significant ways,” said Assistant Profession Gulden Camci-Unal, who added that eventually, eggshell particles could potentially serve as a vehicle to deliver proteins, peptides, growth factors, genes and medications to the body.
Not for nothing, the repurposing of eggshells could also be helpful for the environment.
“Global waste of discarded eggshells typically amounts to millions of tons annually form household and commercial cooking. By repurposing them, we can directly benefit the economy and the environment while providing a sustainable solution to unmet clinical needs,” Camci-Unal said.
This is truly interesting research, and we’ll keep an eye on this study as it continues to progress. Not only are we advancing medical technology, but we’re helping the environment at the same time. It’s a win-win!