‘Magic’ paste from IIT Kanpur will help regenerate bone

: Scientists of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, (IIT-K) have developed a bone regeneration technology. Prof Ashok Kumar and Arun Kumar Teotia of biosciences and bioengineering department of the IIT, Kanpur, have developed the technology.

“Under this a paste made up of two chemicals would be injected straight to the point where the bone has been shattered or removed surgically. The ceramic-based paste would work as the carrier for bio-active molecules that would help in regeneration of bones,” said prof Ashok Kumar.

Both Kumar and Teotia have worked for years to develop this paste made of nano-hydroxyapatite and calcium hemihydrate. “When transferred to the affected part, the paste has osteoinductive properties, necessary for bone healing, which promote a new bone serving as a scaffold,” Kumar said.

Being conducive in biological nature, the paste regularly reacts with the osteoblast cells which play a vital role in formation of the bone. “In 15 minutes of being transferred, this water-based paste gets hardened and starts working,” prof Kumar added.

“This technology will be immensely helpful in cases related to tuberculosis and cancer in bone,” he said, adding that in these conditions the doctors have no option but to take out that bone surgically. The process is similar to the case of major bone loss in an accident. “Basic objective is to save the bone. At the same time, we can send in many drugs and anti-biotics with the paste to treat complex bone diseases, infections and fractures,” he said.

In the past, doctors had limited option such as auto-graft or using bones made of polymer, which had limited success and high chances of infection, he said. “This technology using indigenously acquired material leads to a paradigm shift,” Kumar added. “In case of a major bone loss, the bone can grow back in three months and 15 days in small defects,” he said.

Further, the paste does not affect the oxygen supply or the blood circulation which is important in tissue making and body’s own ability to heal. “The best part is after re-formation of the bone, both nano-hydroxyapatite and calcium hemihydrate secrete out of the body slowly,” he said. The IIT-K has signed a memorandum of understanding with a private company to transfer this technology. Director, IIT Kanpur, Dr Abhay Karandikar has dubbed the technology revolutionary.