Using mesenchymal precursor cells isolated from stem cells, the Johns Hopkins University researchers steered them into bone regeneration by using "scaffolds" -- tiny, three-dimensional platforms made from biomaterials.

Nathaniel Hwang, Jennifer Elisseeff and colleagues demonstrated that by changing the scaffold materials, they could shift mesenchymal precursor cells into either of the body's osteogenic pathways -- one that makes skull, jaw, and clavicle bone, or another that builds the long bones and involves initial formation of cartilage.

The researchers said their study is believed the first to demonstrate a potential application of human embryonic stem-cell-derived mesenchymal cells in a musculoskeletal tissue regeneration application.

The research was presented Sunday n Washington during the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology.