Scientists Helped A Frog Regrow Its Leg, And Humans Might Be Next
Scientists were able to help a frog regenerate its leg with the help of a specialized wearable containing a chemical cocktail. The process only took a year and a half, and the next clinical trial will be moving on to mammals next. Advancements in science can lead to life-saving tech which just might give someone a second lease in life.
People who have lost a limb now have access to advanced robotic prostheses that allow them to feel as if they've never lost it. Unlike humans, however, certain animals like salamanders, crabs, and starfish, to name a few, won't need any technological intervention, as they're capable of growing back lost limbs on their own. Homo sapiens can only go so far as to regenerate their skin and liver naturally, but what if there was a subtle yet capable wearable that can change the way we heal, not just monitor health?
In terms of the human self-restorative ability, it seems like researchers at Tuft University have tapped into something that's usually in the realm of science fiction. According to Eurekalert, scientists used a wearable they refer to as a BioDome, a silicone cap filled with a “cocktail” of five different drugs. This was placed on the amputated hind leg of an African clawed frog, with significant bone regrowth in just 24 hours, leading to the growth of a functional leg after a year and a half. The BioDome creates the perfect conditions for the amputated area to begin limb regeneration instead of creating scar tissue that closes it off into a stump.
The scientific research hints at the possibility that perhaps humans are more capable than we think. Researcher Nirosha Murugan explains it only took the drugs a short time to kickstart the whole regeneration process, suggesting that other animals might possess “dormant regenerative capabilities that can be triggered into action.” Sure enough, the fast-acting BioDome managed to activate an exceptional rate of limb restoration in just a day, whereas naturally, it would take weeks for scar tissue to form and seal off the amputated zone.
However, before people start getting ideas of having Deadpool-like regenerative powers prematurely, the results, while quite promising, are still far from being substantial enough to support such a notion. While the restored limb of the frogs turned out to be responsive, and they were able to swim with it normally, it wasn't exactly fully formed just yet. For instance, the “almost complete limb” had toes that still lacked any bone. Regardless, the researchers will be looking to test out the procedure on mammals instead of amphibians soon, which could eventually lead to human trials. People might not be able to inherit Wolverine's healing powers just yet, but at least it's good knowing that there's still a chance machines won't be the only ones that can self-heal from debilitating injuries in the future.
Sources: Eurekalert, Science