A new revolutionary technique using stem-cell research could soon allow women to choose breast implants made of living tissue instead of silicone.

For the first time, scientists have been able to grow human fat cells in the laboratory. They say that this breakthrough could mean that patients could, in effect, grow their own breast implants.It is also claimed by the researchers that, in the longer term, it may be possible to also grow replacement organs for transplant surgery.

The patients targeted are cancer sufferers and also others who are in need of reconstructive surgery. However Jeremy Mao, professor of tissue engineering at the University of Illinois in Chicago and also the man pioneering the technique, acknowledges there could also be a substantial cosmetic market for the new technology.

Mao has developed a method of isolating the patient's stem cells, culturing them into a mass of fatty tissue, and then building it around what is called a 'scaffold' of the right shape for breasts or lips.

He stated that he first took adipose stem cells from a human donor and them isolated the fat-genrating cells. They were then mixed with hydrogel, a chemical "which can be moulded into any given shape or dimension." Hydrogel is also a lightweight material that has been licensed for use in medicine.

"You could mould them into the shape of the other normal breast or the missing portion of breast and, instead of implanting silicone or saline structures, we would use the stem cell-derived adipose implant," said Mao. "Patients will have a choice--a stem cell-grown structure or an artificial implant."

Not only would the living tissue not 'wear out,' but, because they are derived from the patient's own stem cells, there wouldn't be a problem with tissue rejection.
"The technique is also applicable for other soft tissue, including facial tissue such as the lips."

But there are still a number of issues that have yet to be resolved, such as how the mass of living cells can develop a blood supply to keep it alive once it has been implanted and also how to stop the cells from continuing to replicate once the operation has been completed.

Scientists hope that, in the long term, it will be possible to culture stem cells into complete organs or even parts of organs that could be transplanted without being rejected by the patient's body.