What was discovered?

Wood that is heated with carbon and calcium and then heated once again under pressure with a phosphate solution becomes very hard and behaves like animal bone.

Sheep have had this "wooden" bone put into their legs... after a short time the real bone and the implant fuse together.

How was it discovered?

Many experiments to find suitable new materials to replace damaged or diseased bones were carried out. 

Rattan, a species of palm often used to make furniture, was found to be the most successful wood for the job - it is strong, but the pores inside are big enough for cells and blood vessels to enter, just as they would in real bone.

Why is it important?

Accidents and some diseases often mean that bones can no longer support the weight of a person.  Although metal and ceramics can be used to repair human bones, and sometimes bone transplants from a dead person can be used, these might be rejected by the immune system of the patient.

The new bone from wood is cheap, strong, and can fuse with the real bone.  So far it has not caused problems of rejection or infection in the sheep... let's hope the same will be true for humans!