Growing back a lost limb

[n2doc]

An Israeli researcher has developed a biologically active 'scaffolding' of soluble fibers which could be used to regenerate lost or damaged bone and tissue.


If a lizard loses its tail, it grows right back, but for human beings a lost limb can never be replaced. Now, however, thanks to breakthrough research from Israel, we may one day be able to regenerate lost or damaged human limbs as effectively as a lizard replaces its tail.

Prof. Meital Zilberman of Tel Aviv University has developed a new biologically active 'scaffold' made from soluble fibers, which could be used to help humans replace lost or missing bone or tissue.

The artificial and flexible scaffolding releases growth-stimulating drugs to the place where new bone or tissue is needed. It connects tissues together in much the same way as scaffolding is used to surround an existing building when additions to that building are made.

With more research, says Zilberman, it could also serve as the basic technology for regenerating other types of human tissue, including muscle, arteries, and skin.

"The bioactive agents that spur bone and tissue to regenerate are available to us. The problem is that no technology has been able to effectively deliver them to the tissue surrounding that missing bone," explains Zilberman of the university's Department of Biomedical Engineering.


more:

http://www.israel21c.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7412:growing-back-a-lost-limb&catid=57:health&Itemid=63

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. awesome

:o :applause: :o

[Uben]

2. John Bobbit is waiting!

His "member" was removed by his wife. He is hoping this discovery will remedy his "short comings" (pun intended)!

[Chemisse]

3. Probably not so funny for Bobbit

But certainly funny to me!!

:rofl:

[Prometheuspan]

4. the future of medicine.. only a decade or two away now.

soon, we may even be able to prolong life into thousands of years...
:)

[Chemisse]

5. Noooo! nt