This invention is directed to coral scaffolds seeded with precursor cells in culture in the presence of a chelator and uses thereof in inducing or enhancing bone and/or cartilage formation in a subject, and kits related thereto. This invention is also directed to use of cadherin-upregulating coral for treating cancer or inhibiting cancer progression. This invention is also directed to use of aragonite or calcite-producing species for in vivo calcium release, and its application to the treatment of skin diseases, disorders or conditions.
