Material produced by bacteria may have potential for use in forming support for cartilage and bone tissue growth, according to new research from Virginia Tech Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering. Researchers have developed a new technology for controlling the motion of bacteria that produce cellulose. The use of bacterial cellulose for biomaterials has been limited because its mechanical properties cannot be controlled beyond thin, flexible layers. The material has been shown to be inert in lab animals. Details of the research can be found here.