Foamy polymers hit goal right on the nose
By Corinna Wu
One undergraduate’s modeling career began in the science lab rather than the art studio. A likeness of his nose demonstrates the value of a new polymer foam for growing cells into tissues.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2002/09/1625.jpg?resize=121%2C150&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2002/09/1626.jpg?resize=108%2C150&ssl=1)
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a technique for making foams that can be used as scaffolds for regenerating human tissue. Tissues grown on such biodegradable foams may one day serve as replacements for injured or missing body parts.