Eggshells end up in the trash, but they could revolutionize health care

Eggshells, which contain calcium carbonate, a property that improves bone health, were combined in the lab with hydrogel, a squishy, flexible material made of more than 90% water. Commercially-available bone cells were added to the mix.

Results showed an increase in bone cells’ ability to grow and harden, which could result in faster healing.

“A big deal,” is how lead researcher Gulden Camci-Unal, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, described the outcome, because it could eventually result in clinical applications, like repairing broken bones. Other potential applications include growing cartilage, teeth and tendons, Camci-Unal said.

Possible human application would involve bone cells from a patient added to hydrogel and crushed eggshells. The mixture is cultivated in an incubator, and the resulting new bone is implanted into the patient.

There is less chance of rejection by the immune system, because bone cells come from the patient.

Read more at Metro West Daily News