By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

When we get hurt, our bodies are capable of closing cuts and mending broken bones. We can even use stem cells to regrow parts of our liver¹. But this is basically the extent of our regeneration capabilities. Although our bodies naturally form scar tissue at major injury sites to protect them from blood loss and infection, we generally can’t recover tissue loss or reverse it (in the case of limb loss, as an example). It may be the case that we cannot regrow lost arms or legs due to the complexity of these limbs. 

Continue reading “Getting A Leg Up On Regenerative Medicine With BioDomes”

By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Scientists are ringing in the new year with transplanted pig organs. 

Each day, roughly 20 people die¹ waiting for an organ transplant. Unfortunately, the demand for life-saving organs far exceeds the supply and results in years-long waits. Scientists are trying to solve the human organ supply crisis using organs from non-human animal sources like pigs (called xenotransplantation, xeno in Greek means “foreign”).

Continue reading “A Change of Heart: How Genetically Modified Pig Organs Are Saving Lives”

By Laura Tran, C2ST Intern, Rush University

Imagine you are cooking and you accidentally touch a hot pot on the stove. Ouch! It happens in an instant. You pull your hand away as a reflex and then you feel the pain. Our sensation of pain comes from these receptors called “nociceptors”¹  (“no-see-septors”) that respond to stimuli such as temperature (e.g., hot or cold), mechanical pressure (e.g., stretch/strain), and chemicals (e.g., toxins/poisons). The heat from the pot is the stimulus that activates your nociceptors. 

Continue reading “Managing Pain With…Anthrax?!”