Scientists have grown organs using stem cells, but now they are researching and testing the idea of using a chemical trigger which allows the living organism to repair its own organs. This idea stems from the fact that starfish and salamanders can regenerate their organs after an injury is sustained to them. A 3D printer has also been used to try to recreate organs. By being able to regenerate a human organ, we can help treat the thousands of people waiting for organ donations, as well as the elderly who could benefit from stronger organs. As of now the bladder is the only organ that has been able to be successfully regenerated but in the near future many scientists feel that a way to regenerate any organ will be found.
Another topic I have been researching is prosthetics. Prosthetics are widely used today to help many people. They can be used for people who have lost a limb and also for people who need them for cosmetic reasons such as artificial eyes. These devices may be surgically implanted or they can be used externally. Prosthetics have also been created by a 3D printer. This new way of developing prosthetics is still not able to be used by the general public but in the near future it may be possible to cheaply created these very expensive pieces of equipment.
One topic that I have been researching is the idea of replenish aging cells by triggering them to grow new mitochondria. The result is that many disorders related to brain aging may be halted and reversed. This idea has not yet been successfully done in practice on humans but rat testing has been done. If this idea can be successfully done then thousands of people can be healed from degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.
This blog is suppose to help me share about my topic, except that I have no idea what that topic is yet. I know that I am interested in biomedical engineering and would like to choose a topic related to prosthesis but I have no idea what that would be.
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