The researchers of this “Research and Training Center in Regenerative Surgery” are testing both in experimental and clinical field the great regenerative capacity of amniotic membrane in aiding the regeneration of human tissue.
At the base of regenerative surgery, as surgical procedure that is not limited to repair damaged human tissues, but wants to start a real regeneration process, so real “restitutio ad integrum,” it is essential to assemble three basic elements: adult stem cells, growth factors and scaffolds (substrate suitable for receiving and structure the regenerated tissue).
Currently achieving this goal is the “dream” of all researchers.
The Academy researchers are focusing on the amniotic membrane, as “natural and universal scaffold” in regenerative surgery. Natural because normally it plays the role of nutritive exchange membrane and the adult stem cell carrier and growth factors during pregnancy. Universal because it adapts and integrates with all human tissues in the process of regeneration, providing their “load” of cells and growth factors in the regenerative process.
The most innovative application areas pursued by researchers and surgeons Academy as part of reconstructive plastic surgery are the regeneration of peripheral nerves and soft tissue regeneration.
The advantages of the amniotic membrane are various: the implantation of a single biological structure provides the 3 elements of the regenerative triad (stem cells, growth factors, ideal scaffolds); we use a waste product of childbirth without ethical implications relating to the collection of the embryos; We give to the regenerative process further biological properties typical of amniotic membrane such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and low antigenicity activity, or rather the certainty of transplanting this universal scaffold in human tissue without risk of rejection.
Michele Riccio