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London (pte028/10.06.2005/13:21) - In a daring 10-month project that is meant to spark public debate about bio-engineering, designers Tobie Kerridge and Nikki Stott from the Royal College of Art http://www.rca.ac.uk in London, and Dr Ian Thompson, a bioengineer from Kings College London http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ are joining together to grow rings made from the bones of humans.
Five couples, selected from a total of 180 volunteers, are participating in the project. They will each have their wisdom teeth extracted at Guy's Hospital, London. The rings will be grown from bits of the bone that develop where wisdom tooth and jawbone meet. Cells harvested from here are rich in osteoblasts - bone-forming cells. The end pieces will be a mixture of traditional precious metals and bone tissue from each partner.
"By talking about science breakthroughs as designers," says Kerridge, co-researcher on the project, "we can make objects and engage the public, their imagination and their desires and so on".
He adds: "We are interested in how technological innovation is used by human needs and desire rather than the pure functionality of the innovation."
It is intended that the technique of making the jewellery will eventually be used to grow bone for cancer sufferers. Other research teams worldwide are developing methods to grow bones.
Another group of scientists is working on an inkjet printer that makes skin and bones to measure for those who need extensive skin grafting.
The scientists and designers believe that rings have a certain significance in society, that they are social symbols for cultures all over the globe, making them the perfect type of experimental jewellery to make.
"It humanises this process and lets people key into it. Through that, they can relate to it," explained Mr Kerridge.
The project is being funded by the Physical Science Council as part of its Partnership for Public Awareness initiative.
The finished pieces will be exhibited in Guy's Hospital, and a publice debate will be held at the Dana Centre in London's Science Museum http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/ .
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