Mexico's IPN grows bone, cartilage and muscle from mesenchymal stem cells

In March 2026, Mexico’s National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) announced an important step for regenerative medicine in the country: its team regenerated bone, cartilage, muscle and adipose tissue in the lab from mesenchymal stem cells taken from bone marrow.

Who is involved?

The project, “The importance of hematopoietic stem cells in tissue regeneration”, is led by Dr. Jorge Vela Ojeda and Dr. Elba Reyes Maldonado of the National School of Biological Sciences (ENCB), together with specialists from the Higher School of Medicine (ESM) and the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).

How did they do it?

The process combines cell biology with 3D printing:

• Cells are collected from bone marrow through an aspiration from the iliac crest (the hip bone).
• The mesenchymal stem cells, which are present there in small numbers, are expanded in the lab.
• The cells are placed on 3D-printed plastic scaffolds shaped like the tissue to be formed.
• On that scaffold, the cells build bone, cartilage or muscle in the shape needed, for example for a fracture that has not healed.

The researchers noted that mesenchymal cells are also found in the umbilical cord, another widely studied source in regenerative medicine.

Is it being used in patients?

Not yet. For now this is a laboratory result. According to IPN, the next step will be to apply these tissues in patients, under all required regulations and with IMSS support. In Mexico, research protocols involving cells require authorization from COFEPRIS, the federal health regulator.

Why does it matter?

• It shows that Mexico has the scientific capacity to produce custom-made tissue.
• It opens the door to treatments for fractures that do not heal, cartilage injuries and muscle loss.
• According to Dr. Vela, artificial intelligence will help this field move much faster in the lab.

According to the press release, the countries leading stem cell regenerative therapies are the United States, Spain, England and Germany. A Mexican public institution joining this field is good news for research in the country.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace evaluation by a health professional. It has not been evaluated by the FDA.