Universities are making significant advances in using adult stem cells to repair bone and cartilage, the UK national stem cell conference heard on Monday.

At Southampton university, Richard Oreffo is leading a programme to fill holes or gaps in bones caused by accident or disease with a “living composite” material made of adult stem cells. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which receive most of the publicity in the field, the adult cells used were extracted from patients’ own bone marrow before being mixed with a biocompatible scaffold. Four patients have so far received transplants of living composite, said Professor Oreffo. Early signs were encouraging: the material was integrating well with the patients’ own bone and stimulating natural re-growth.