Scientists cut off the legs of frogs and managed to grow new ones “with an eye” for regeneration in humans

Researchers at two universities – Taft and Harvard – conducted an experiment to grow new limbs to replace lost ones. The “volunteers” in the study were frogs. Scientists hope that their work in the future will allow to grow the lost limb and the person. The experiment is described in the journal Science Advances.

Recall that regeneration is possible only in some species of living beings. Most, including humans, are unable to grow new limbs to replace the lost ones, and scar tissue forms.

Experimenters removed paws from frogs. The stumps were covered with caps filled with a protein gel with five drugs that suppressed inflammation, improved collagen production so that there was no scarring, and stimulated the growth of nerve fibers, blood vessels and muscles. As a result, in 18 months, the frogs grew almost full-fledged new paws, however, without webbing between the fingers.

The researchers then examined the mechanisms by which short-term intervention could lead to long-term growth. Within the first few days after using the cap, they found the activation of molecular pathways that play an important role in the development of the embryo, allowing the body to take the desired shape. Apparently, activation led to the fact that the growth and organization of tissues in the limbs occurred independently, like in an embryo, without constant support from outside drugs.

Now scientists want to find out how effective such a treatment would be for mammals, including humans.