Thomas Diekwisch

The growth of long and polarized ameloblast-like cells has long been heralded as a major prerequisite for enamel tissue engineering. In this study, we have designed three-dimensional bioreactor/scaffold microenvironments to propagate and assess the ability of cervical loop derivatives to become long and polarized ameloblast-like cells.

Summary In a new study, LeBlanc and co-workers have discovered an unusually complex dentition in a fossil relative of the modern-day tuatara that features compound occlusal surfaces, thick and prismatic enamel, and a novel enamel-to-bone tooth attachment. This finding suggests that complex dentitions arose independently in several reptilian lineages.

1 Introduction Fracture healing is a complex process that requires well-orchestrated and coordinated events that involve various cell types (1). An early and critical step in healing is the proliferation and recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation to chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and other cell types. Chondrocytes lay down cartilage to support and stabilize the fracture site (2).