Mice, Frogs, and Snails- Ingredients for the Best Boys

Scientists are at it again with the almost sci-fi-esque technology. Scientists in Israel have successfully recovered movement in 12 of 15 paralyzed mice via spinal cord implants. It wasn't just twitching in limbs: the 12 mice recovered full regular movement. In addition, a completely different group of American scientists working out of Tufts University were able to successfully get adult African clawed frogs to regrow amputated limbs over the course of 18 months. That doesn't sound impressive unless you know that adult African clawed frogs cannot regrow limbs like some other species of amphibians. And in slightly old (4 years to be exact) but equally as interesting news, scientists at UCLA were able to successfully transplant memories from one snail to another. Mice, frogs, and snails - all the ingredients to make a boy, minus the puppy dog tails.

Backing up a little bit, you read that first bit correctly; Israeli scientists were able to get 12 of 15 mice moving normally following what was essentially a spinal cord implant. This is a relatively new discovery as it was published in a peer-reviewed paper this month. Discussions regarding clinical trials in humans have opened with America's FDA and the Israeli scientific team. So what did the implants consist of? Modified human cells from three different people. How would this work for people? If we get to the point where this method gets FDA approval for research in humans, the thought is that instead of using cells from different people, the cells of the patient could be used to regenerate the damaged tissue. If successful, this method would be less risky than a transplant and probably a more readily available treatment as the risk of rejection would be low and the need for immunosuppression would be more or less eliminated.

But wait, there's more. What if you are not paralyzed, but unable to move due to a missing limb? Another group that published their peer-reviewed research this year was able to get a number of adult African clawed frogs to regrow amputated limbs. The research size was much larger compared to the previously mentioned experiment, at a whopping 115 frogs. The new limbs were said to be grown properly with functional skin, muscles, and bones good enough for movement. While the research team mentioned that there was certainly room for improvement, this is another case where if approved for mammals (and of course, then humans) could help persons who are disabled due to missing or amputated limbs.

Since we are on sci-fi-esque tech, the final thing we mentioned was also true. In 2018, scientists were able to transplant memories from one snail to another. Essentially, the team in this case shocked the mess out of one group of snails, extracted RNA from their nervous systems and placed that RNA into snails that had not been shocked. When stimulated (without a shock) the snails responded as if they had been shocked despite never receiving a shock. What does this mean for people? Maybe something? Maybe nothing? Snails aren't mammals and their body structure and regeneration does not mimic humans in really any way. This is something that if experimented on with a small mammal like a mouse could give more conclusive results. As of right now, that has not been done, but if memories can be transplanted, this could open up some doors in terms of therapy options for degenerative memory diseases. The more you know!