Re-searchers used stem cells to
grow a replacement tooth for
an adult mouse, the first time
scientists have developed a fully
functioning three-dimensional
organ replacement, according to
a report in the Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sci-
ences. The researchers at the
Tokyo University of Science cre-
ated a set of cells that con-
tained genetic instructions to
build a tooth, and then im-
planted this "tooth germ" into
the mouse's empty tooth
socket. The tooth grew out of
the socket and through the
gums, as a natural tooth would.
Once the engineered tooth ma-
tured, after 11 weeks, it had a
similar shape, hardness and re-
sponse to pain or stress as a
natural tooth, and worked
equally well for chewing. The re-
searchers suggested that using
similar techniques in humans
could restore function to pa-
tients with organ failure.
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