Engraftment is a term used in several fields, including medicine, horticulture, and biotechnology. In medical terminology, engraftment refers to the process in which transplanted cells, tissues, or organs are successfully incorporated into the recipient's body. This integration involves the establishment of a functional connection between the transplanted material and the recipient's existing tissues or organs, allowing for their growth, development, and restoration of their normal functions.
In the field of horticulture, engraftment is a method used to propagate plants by joining a scion (a detached shoot or bud) with a rootstock or stock (a plant used as a base for grafting). The process involves bringing the vascular systems of the scion and rootstock into contact to stimulate the formation of new growth and successful union between the two plant parts.
In biotechnology, engraftment refers to the insertion of foreign DNA into an organism, usually an animal or plant, resulting in the stable incorporation and expression of the introduced genetic material. This process can be done through various techniques, such as gene transfer or genetic engineering, to modify or enhance the traits of the recipient organism.
Overall, engraftment refers to the successful incorporation, integration, or union of various entities, whether it be transplanted cells, tissues, or organs in medicine, plant parts in horticulture, or foreign DNA in biotechnology. It highlights the establishment of functional connections and the subsequent growth and development that occurs as a result of this integration.
