Scientists Produced an Artificial Vocal Cord
American scientists have succeeded in producing human vocal cords in a laboratory environment...
Scientists Produced an Artificial Vocal Cord
American scientists have succeeded in producing human vocal cords in a laboratory environment. The researchers stated goal was to help millions of people whose vocal cords were damaged due to cancer, accident or other diseases, to regain their voices.
It was stated that the study, called 'Science Translational Medicine', is still under development. Dr. Mathan Welham from the University of Wisconsin, who led the research team, said that the vocal cords are part of a very sensitive system and it is of great importance that they are artificially produced.
"Our vocal cords are flexible enough to vibrate, but at the same time strong enough to not separate and disintegrate even when they hit each other hundreds of times a second," says Dr. Welham.
According to the sources, scientists grew the tissues that turned into vocal cords in a period of two weeks. For this, vocal cord cells called fibroblast and epithelial were used. These cells were obtained from patients who underwent surgery for different reasons.
These cells, which were separated from the others in the later stages, were placed in a 3-dimensional cartilage skeleton and vocal cord growth was achieved using a method similar to the artificial skin production technique.
The cells that started to multiply in this environment came together and formed a layer. It has been reported that the protein structure of this layer has the same properties as the mucosa of the natural vocal cords.
The experts then transplanted the vocal cord tissue obtained into the voice boxes taken from a dead dog. It was stated that the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound when moist air is blown into these voice boxes.
Dr Welham said, “These vocal cords are just like the natural vocal cords. They are moist and elastic like the real ones."
In the last stage of the study, these vocal cords were transplanted into a mouse that was ensured to have the same immune system as humans through genetic studies in the laboratory environment. It was stated that the aim of this method is to find out whether the immune system in humans will accept this artificial vocal cord.
The result was successful and the mouse's immune system, which was similar to that of humans, accepted the artificial vocal cords.
Dr. Welham said “It will take years of work for these vocal cords produced in the laboratory environment to be used in humans and reach everyone around the world. But now we have taken a huge step forward. Our voice is an amazing thing. But we do not understand the value of this until something bad happens."
It was stated that the study, called 'Science Translational Medicine', is still under development. Dr. Mathan Welham from the University of Wisconsin, who led the research team, said that the vocal cords are part of a very sensitive system and it is of great importance that they are artificially produced.
"Our vocal cords are flexible enough to vibrate, but at the same time strong enough to not separate and disintegrate even when they hit each other hundreds of times a second," says Dr. Welham.
According to the sources, scientists grew the tissues that turned into vocal cords in a period of two weeks. For this, vocal cord cells called fibroblast and epithelial were used. These cells were obtained from patients who underwent surgery for different reasons.
These cells, which were separated from the others in the later stages, were placed in a 3-dimensional cartilage skeleton and vocal cord growth was achieved using a method similar to the artificial skin production technique.
The cells that started to multiply in this environment came together and formed a layer. It has been reported that the protein structure of this layer has the same properties as the mucosa of the natural vocal cords.
The experts then transplanted the vocal cord tissue obtained into the voice boxes taken from a dead dog. It was stated that the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound when moist air is blown into these voice boxes.
Dr Welham said, “These vocal cords are just like the natural vocal cords. They are moist and elastic like the real ones."
In the last stage of the study, these vocal cords were transplanted into a mouse that was ensured to have the same immune system as humans through genetic studies in the laboratory environment. It was stated that the aim of this method is to find out whether the immune system in humans will accept this artificial vocal cord.
The result was successful and the mouse's immune system, which was similar to that of humans, accepted the artificial vocal cords.
Dr. Welham said “It will take years of work for these vocal cords produced in the laboratory environment to be used in humans and reach everyone around the world. But now we have taken a huge step forward. Our voice is an amazing thing. But we do not understand the value of this until something bad happens."