Scientists use pig bladders, salamanders and mice to help regrow fingers FYI.
NEW YORK – Researchers are trying to find ways to regrow fingers – and someday, even limbs – with tricks that sound like magic spells from a Harry Potter novel.
There’s the guy who sliced off a fingertip but grew it back, after he treated the wound with an extract of pig bladder. And the scientists who grow extra arms on salamanders. And the laboratory mice with the eerie ability to heal themselves.
This summer, scientists are planning to see whether the powdered pig extract can help injured soldiers regrow parts of their fingers. And a large federally funded project is trying to unlock the secrets of how some animals regrow body parts so well, with hopes of applying the lessons to humans.
“Up to about age 2, people can consistently regrow fingertips”
My new random fact to annoy my wife with.
Weren’t there news stories a few years ago about a 10-year-old regenerating a finger (I think it was) when doctors passed low-voltage current across the point of amptation? The regrowth wasn’t perfect but it was usable, as I recall. The treatment imitated a biologically generated low voltage present in – I think it was lizards regenerating a tail.
Okay, it has nothing to do with pig bladder powder. That’s presumably chemically based. But it’d be interesting to know if the two approaches would complement each other. I can see the ads – “Pig bladder powder pack – complete treatment! (Batteries not included.)”
Tell me again Sir Gwain how sheep’s bladders may be employed to prevent earthquakes.