Platelet concentrates, regenerative medicine and associated biotechnologies
Platelet concentrates are blood extracts used in regenerative medicine. Mainly constituted of platelets, plasma and fibrin, these treatments are designed to release healing molecules (particularly growth factors) and cells in a damaged tissue in order to accelerate healing and sometimes to regenerate the tissue.
The LoB5 has funded many research on different protocols, particularly from the Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma (L-PRP) and the Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) families.
For example, the L-PRF clot is a strong fibrin matrix, which concentrates most platelets and leukocytes of the blood harvest. It presents a complex tridimensional architecture. After compression, the clot becomes a strong healing membrane. Some applications of this autologous biomaterial have been described in oral, maxillofacial, ENT and plastic surgery.
The potential clinical and tissue engineering applications of these technologies are numerous, and the Foundation is highly implied in the development of innovative research protocols, using PRP/PRF and a wide range of associated biotechnologies.