Dental research on bone growth heads to space

Research from a team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Center for Craniofacial Regeneration is headed to the International Space Station as part of a project to examine how stem cells behave in space, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Nov. 22.

RevBio partnered with Giuseppe Intini, DDS, PhD, an associate professor of periodontics and preventive dentistry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, to research how well its bone adhesive Tetranite stimulates stem cells to regenerate bone on Earth and in space. Previous research has shown that stem cells "lock up" in space and cannot aid in tissue regeneration, which scientists believe could be one reason astronauts experience severe bone loss.

Tetranite is not yet available commercially but has performed well in tests, including a previous space project that found the product promoted osteoblastic differentiation.

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