Natural protein scaffold may speed bone healing by growing blood vessels at same time

For patients suffering from traumatic injuries that leave behind "volumetric" gaps—where significant bone and blood vessels are lost—the clock is always ticking. Without a nearby blood supply, cells in the center of a large injury cannot survive, often leading to permanent tissue loss or failed grafts.

A team of eight scientists at UT San Antonio has discovered a potential “perfect recipe” to address this challenge. By blending two natural proteins found in the human body, the researchers created a specialized scaffold that allows bone and blood vessels to grow simultaneously at an accelerated rate.

The study, published in the journal Biomaterials Advances, identifies a 50:50 ratio of collagen and fibrin as the ideal environment for tissue repair.

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