Tag: Tissue engineering

While a salamander can regrow a lost limb with relative ease, humans are incapable of this feat. This fundamental biological difference prompts a critical question: is it possible to regrow a hand, and what does modern science say about bridging this gap in regenerative ability?

Unlike skin, which can repair itself readily, cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, giving it a very limited capacity to heal on its own. This biological limitation is central to understanding the answer to the common question: **Does cartilage grow back in the nose?** For significant damage, the answer is generally no, requiring medical intervention for effective and safe repair.

Over 200 million people worldwide are affected by conditions caused by damaged lymphatic vessels, most notably lymphedema. For those living with this reality, the question is paramount: **Can lymphatic vessels be repaired?** Exploring the latest medical advances reveals a complex but increasingly hopeful landscape of treatment and regeneration.

Over 20% of all protein in mammals is collagen, a key component from which traditional gelatin is derived. In healthcare, the term "fish Jell-O" is a layperson's phrase for **fish gelatin**, a versatile, marine-derived biopolymer with a host of emerging medical and pharmaceutical applications. This alternative to mammalian gelatin offers unique benefits, making it an indispensable material in modern medicine.

The human body possesses a powerful, innate healing capacity, a process witnessed every time a cut scabs over. This self-repairing function raises a crucial question: **can you rebuild body tissue**, or are we limited to a simple patch-up job? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, depending largely on the type of tissue and the nature of the damage.

According to Healthline, around 40-60% of all heart valve replacements performed globally each year are xenografts made from animal tissue. So, what is an example of a xenograft, and what other ways are these cross-species transplants used in modern medicine and research?

Originally developed in the early 1900s, the plasma clot technique is a foundational method in cell and tissue culture for growing small, complex tissue samples, known as explants. This authoritative guide explores the purpose, process, and applications of this long-standing laboratory practice.