A promising new bone repair technology, developed by Irish scientists, could be ready for testing in humans in the coming months.
The organic material, developed by researchers at the materials science centre AMBER, has already been used to save an ill race horse, which would otherwise have been put down.
The technique uses collagen and hydroxyapatite, both of which are natural ingredients of bone, to form a 3D porous "scaffold".
It acts as a substitute for a bone graft to which cells and blood vessels "cling" as the tissue rebuilds itself.
Regulatory approval is now being sought for its use in humans by SurgaColl Technologies, a spin out company from the Royal College of Surgeons where the research team which developed it are based.
It is anticipated that approval should be received within months, with its first use in humans likely by the end of this year.
The technology was used to successfully treat a thoroughbred racehorse, which developed a tumour on its jaw.
The growth damaged the filly's jawbone and left it unable to chew properly. As a result, its owner and vet were expecting it would have to be put down.
However, vets in UCD working with the AMBER researchers removed the tumour from the horse, called Annagh Haven, and implanted the new material.
Within months the horse's jawbone had fully recovered, and it was back securing wins and places in races again.
The research has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine.
But details of it were revealed at an event marking AMBER's first year of operation earlier today.
The Science Foundation Ireland funded centre has so far announced four world first discoveries, including a method of producing large quantities of the so-called "wonder material", graphene.
It has also developed relationships with 21 industry partners, won over €10.5m of non-exchequer funding and has published 300 papers.
Materials science is one of the fastest growing sectors globally, impacting electronics, medical technologies, and pharmaceuticals, and in Ireland approximately €80 billion worth of these products are exported annually.
