Humans could regrow their own body parts like some amphibians, claim scientists

**Voodoo Vince** · 02-07-2009, 05:18 PM

Humans could regrow their own body parts like some amphibians, claim scientists

Regenerating your own amputated arms and legs, broken spines and even damaged brains is the stuff of superheroes - but it could one day be a reality, claim scientists.

By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent
Published: 7:20PM BST 01 Jul 2009

Researchers looking into how salamanders are able to to regrow their damaged bodies have discovered that the "almost magical ability" is closer to human healing then first thought.

They believe that one day they will be able to completely unlock the secret and apply it to humans, reprogramming the body so it can repair itself perfectly as if nothing had happened.

The amphibians are almost unique in that if they lose a limb, a small bump forms over the injury called a blastema.

Within about three weeks this blastema transforms into a new, fully functioning replacement limb without any scarring.

At first it was thought that the ability was so alien to human healing that, outside of science fiction novels, it could never be transformed into a useful treatment for damaged human bodies.

But researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that it is not as remarkable as first thought and we could learn how to replicate it in people.

"I think it's more mammal-like than was ever expected," said Professor Malcolm Maden, author of the paper. "It gives you more hope for being able to someday regenerate individual tissues in people."

Scientists, studying the Axolotl salamander, native to Mexico, had long thought the amphibious creature's capabilities were down to so-called "pluripotent" cells, which had the uncanny ability to morph into whatever appendage, organ or tissue happens to be needed or due for a replacement.

But a paper in the journal Nature debunks that notion, discovering that the regenerative process is like a much more sophisticated version of healing in humans and other mammals.

They found that repairs were down to much more standard stem cells – like those in mammals – but with the ability to reorganise themselves in the correct order to rebuild the body.

Standard mammal stem cells operate in the same way, albeit with far less dramatic results – they can heal wounds or knit bone together, but not regenerate a limb or rebuild a spinal cord.

The scientists says that what's exciting about the new findings is the suggestion that harnessing the salamander's regenerative wonders is at least within the realm of possibility for human medical science.

Also, the salamanders heal perfectly, without any scars whatsoever, another ability people would like to learn how to mimic, Prof Maden said.

He said the findings will help researchers "zero in" on why salamander cells are capable of such remarkable regeneration. "If you can understand how they regenerate, then you ought to be able to understand why mammals don't regenerate," he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sciencean...cientists.html

platform · 03-07-2009, 02:29 AM

It would be great for those who lost their limbs.

**createweb** · 03-07-2009, 02:32 AM

thats interesting....any links to that journal paper? Cos they seem to be suggesting that the cells would be able to transdifferentiate, which is rather unheard of. Morever they talk of turning on the gene. I hope there is a good off switch or the patient would end up wif a tumour (a frequent problem encountered in stemcell research)

**kohht** · 03-07-2009, 02:36 AM

sound good but it seem like.. not easy.

**wohaha** · 03-07-2009, 02:37 AM

this trend is interesting.... up for it

nuriko_sankc · 03-07-2009, 02:42 AM

what if it goes wrong then ppl end up with cancer??

shypineapple · 03-07-2009, 02:57 AM

I'm all for this. nice. >.>

**lilithfiend** · 03-07-2009, 10:37 AM

hey, this is like Claire in Heroes..wow. Ground-breaking indeed..

ValkyrieLenneth · 03-07-2009, 10:46 AM

will have issue with human rights n those stuff bo??

**finaldust** · 03-07-2009, 10:48 AM

cool that is interesting everyone can regrow

**BabyBochap** · 03-07-2009, 10:49 AM

it would be great if it from theory to become realilty

**Uyoku** · 03-07-2009, 10:50 AM

star fish also same =X i watch a doc on them

**S7r4T4** · 03-07-2009, 10:55 AM

We've all seen where this goes... in Spider-man! That's how his enemy the lizard got created. Dr. Curt Connors was trying to regrow a limb using a 'genetic recombinator' or something to mix som lizard cells with his on to regrow his arm. Then he turned into a giant scaly, lizard monster.

yup, your comics fact blast of the day.