Embryonic Stem Cells for the Engineering and Regeneration of Mineralized Tissues

Musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis or traumatic injuries can result in extensive tissue damage and are a major cause of morbidity. For example, there are an estimated 40,000 hip replacements performed in the United Kingdom each year and worldwide this is expected to exceed 6 million by 2050. Many fractures are associated with osteoporosis with one in four women sustaining at least one fracture by the age of 70. Collectively, diseases and traumas affecting the skeleton can severely restrict the quality of life and incur considerable healthcare costs. The need to address the increasing healthcare burden posed by musculoskeletal disorders culminated in the instigation of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010, co-sponsored by the World Health Organization. A key goal of the initiative is advancing the understanding of musculoskeletal disorders through research to improve prevention and treatment. Tissue engineering is one area of research that is currently attracting considerable interest in the treatment of the damaged skeleton. In particular, recent advances in stem cell biology raises the prospect for generating unlimited numbers of specific cell types such as the osteoblast to enhance bone tissue repair and regeneration.