Lab-Grown Wood Could Be Used For Building Projects To Cut Deforestation Down

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) may have found a solution to counterbalance the steadying increase in deforestation. In a step towards a more sustainable future, researchers have discovered a way to grow timber in a laboratory.  

Using leaves from the Zinnia plant, scientists have altered its hormone levels, giving them access to its cells so that they could change them. The process is similar to the editing of stem cells and rearranging them to fit an expected function. Though the research is in its very early stages, this breakthrough could see timber and wood being grown in labs for construction.  

Researchers have also noted that when altering the cells and growing the wood, they can force it to grow into a specific shape with the use of 3D-bioprinting. This would cut down a lot of the manufacturing process, saving on costs and energy, as wood grown to perfect shapes and sizes can now be made. 

The Zinnia plant is just the first step in this new frontier. Scientists are looking to explore different species of plants to create other types of materials important to manufacturing.

The MIT researchers hope to inspire more around the world to branch out into the same research and hasten the process to bring lab-grown wood to the market for commercial use.  

[via Popular Mechanics and MIT, Photo 550749 © Jolin | Dreamstime.com]