Alligator Stem Cell Study Gives Clues to Tooth Regeneration - Polidicks

[url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130514101457.htm[/url] [QUOTE][B]Alligators may help scientists learn how to stimulate tooth regeneration in people, according to new research led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC.[/B] For the first time, a global team of researchers led by USC pathology Professor Cheng-Ming Chuong, M.D., Ph.D., has uncovered unique cellular and molecular mechanisms behind tooth renewal in American alligators. Their study, titled "Specialized stem cell niche enables repetitive renewal of alligator teeth," appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences. "Humans naturally only have two sets of teeth -- baby teeth and adult teeth," said Chuong. "Ultimately, we want to identify stem cells that can be used as a resource to stimulate tooth renewal in adult humans who have lost teeth. But, to do that, we must first understand how they renew in other animals and why they stop in people." Using microscopic imaging techniques, the researchers found that each alligator tooth is a complex unit of three components -- a functional tooth, a replacement tooth, and the dental lamina -- in different developmental stages. The tooth units are structured to enable a smooth transition from dislodgement of the functional, mature tooth to replacement with the new tooth. Identifying three developmental phases for each tooth unit, the researchers conclude that the alligator dental laminae contain what appear to be stem cells from which new replacement teeth develop. "Stem cells divide more slowly than other cells," said co-author Randall B. Widelitz, Ph.D., associate professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine. "The cells in the alligator's dental lamina behaved like we would expect stem cells to behave. In the future, we hope to isolate those cells from the dental lamina to see whether we can use them to regenerate teeth in the lab."[/QUOTE] It's a good day for dentistry.

This treatment would certainly revolutionize geriatric dentistry; even normal folks missing their teeth could benefit from the Gatorgaine treatment. And then the test subjects turn green and set up an economy based around using teeth as currency. I wonder what genes need to be tinkered to give us tusks?

Imagine this being like a shark where you bite someone leaving your entire set of teeth only to grow it back

Britains we are saved!

[QUOTE=firstblood;40644597]Britains we are saved![/QUOTE] They'll grow back looking the same. Aka not saved.

[QUOTE=areolop;40644623]They'll grow back looking the same. Aka not saved.[/QUOTE] Hey there areolop

[QUOTE=ironman17;40644503]This treatment would certainly revolutionize geriatric dentistry; even normal folks missing their teeth could benefit from the Gatorgaine treatment. And then the test subjects turn green and set up an economy based around using teeth as currency. I wonder what genes need to be tinkered to give us tusks?[/QUOTE] Create an army of alligator men?

[QUOTE=areolop;40644623]They'll grow back looking the same. Aka not saved.[/QUOTE] :suicide:

[QUOTE=Reshy;40644660]Create an army of alligator men?[/QUOTE] Nah it's Orks mate.

I'd rather go the Jaws route [img]http://i.imgur.com/uRi8y.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=ironman17;40644714]Nah it's Orks mate.[/QUOTE] Hor hor hor i like dis un, 'e's got da roight idea

[QUOTE=Joazzz;40644968]Hor hor hor i like dis un, 'e's got da roight idea[/QUOTE] But Orks are plants.

[QUOTE=Reshy;40644995]But Orks are plants.[/QUOTE] da Orks be fungi, an' fungi ain't da same as plants, dats wot Smartboy Biologteezhor told me ya knew wot ironman17 meant but just wantedda be picky, cheeky cunt gonna hook yer teef in

[QUOTE=Joazzz;40645018]da Orks be fungi, an' fungi ain't da same as plants, dats wot Smartboy Biologteezhor told me ya knew wot ironman17 meant but just wantedda be picky, cheeky cunt gonna hook yer teef in[/QUOTE] Don't you have smashing and looting to do elsewhere?

[QUOTE=Reshy;40645266]Don't you have smashing and looting to do elsewhere?[/QUOTE] yerr boss, oi'll be leavin'