Scientists are now a step closer towards making vocal transplants possible. For the first time, scientists are able to grow vocal cords in the laboratory. There is a big possibility that this development can lead to vocal or "voice" transplants for people who have damaged larynx.
Independent UK reports that the bioengineered vocal cords grown from individual cells are almost similar to a human voice box. As warm, moist air was passed over them, it vibrated and produced similar sounds to that of a voice box.
Scientists believe that they can generate customized vocal cords which can be used for transplant operations according to the patient's needs. Currently, there are limited options for individuals who have permanent damaged larynx caused by cancer or other disorders. This is due to the unique characteristics of the vibrating cells of the vocal cords.
The process of producing sound comes from passing air over the vocal folds commonly known as vocal cords, within the larynx. The folds consist of two flexible bands of muscle lined with delicate, moist tissue called mucosa. Mucosa vibrates hundred times per second to produce sound. The process is similar to a vibrating violin.
The scientists used healthy cells from patients who had their larynx removed for unrelated reasons as well as from human cadavers. They recreated the mucosal tissue of the vocal cords using these healthy cells.
These cells are then cultured in the laboratory for about 14 days. Then these cells are developed around a bio-engineered "scaffold" to mimic the three dimensional structure of the lining within the vocal cords.
The two cells used are fibroblasts cells and epithelium cells, that assembled themselves naturally into different layers. Just like they naturally do within the human vocal cords.
To test if the scientists succeeded in making the synthetic vocal cords, they transplanted them into larynxes removed from dead dogs. Warm, moist air was blew through them so sounds made by natural voice can be compared to that of the synthetic ones.
"Voice is a pretty amazing thing, yet we don't give it much thought until something goes wrong," said Nathan Welham of the University of Wisconsin-Madison who was one of the leaders of the research project.
"Our vocal cords are made up of special tissue that has to be flexible enough to vibrate, yet strong enough to bang together hundreds of times per second. It's an exquisite system and hard thing to replicate," Dr Welham said.
Synthetic human vocal cords were found compatible with mice as well. This raises hope that this development could one day be used in transplant operations. However, scientists admitted that there is still further research to be done before attempting trials on human.
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