Secret powers of frogs to regenerate limbs exploited

LONDON: Finally, frogs leap to the aid of humans -- scientists are exploiting the secret powers of the creatures to create drugs that will help in the regrowth of amputated limbs in humans.

"Human and amphibian proteins are very similar. That means the lessons you learn from frogs and salamanders are applicable to humans. Their embryos -- spawn -- are also easier to study.

"Limb regrowth involves blood, bone and muscle tissue growing in a very ordered manner. If you can learn how that ithappens in amphibians, you could think of replicating it in humans," 'The Guardian' reported, quoting lead researcher Prof Mark Ferguson as saying here.

In fact, the work on tissue regeneration began ten years ago at the University of Manchester when the researchers discovered most animals' embryos recover fully from cuts than adult animals. The latter are often left scarred, not embryos.

"The protein responsible for this recovery is known as Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3. It is present in small amounts in adults, but in large amounts in embryos, where it plays a key role in helping skin to multiply inside in a rapidly growing embryo," Ferguson said.

In fact, his team has since isolated the protein, TGF Beta 3, and has developed ways to manufacture it artificially. The result is a drug. Its development has been taken over by a university spin-off company, Renovo, which is now in phase two clinical trials.

The drug "could soon be used as a treatment for alleviating scarring during surgery too", Ferguson said.