Amphibians And Limb Regeneration

[Rade]

A recent publication showing how amphibians can help better understand the process of possible limb regeneration for humans in the future. There are >400 species of salamanders, humans would be wise to protect their populations to allow for applied research, and also because they are cute:

 

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/05/17/1300290110

[SaxonViolence]

When I was going to Purdue University in the mid-70s, sometimes I'd arrive early for class in the Eli Lilly Building.

 

Back then at least, many of the Professors would put some of their research on their doors or even spread along the hallway for passers by to read.

 

I remember one fellow had frogs regenerating limbs—I think a few Obscure breeds of frog retain the ability to regenerate into adulthood.

 

Besides, one of the classic experiments is to get Frogs who are too old to regenerate, to do so via electrical stimulation.

 

But this Dude was getting some partial regeneration of Rat's forelimbs.

 

He was getting stunted flipper-like limbs via Hormones and Electrical Stimulation.

 

Given such a promising start, I'm surprised that his research hasn't borne fruit in the ensuing years.

 

 

Saxon Violence