Scientists Grow Replacement Human Teeth In Mouse Kidneys 117
sciencehabit writes "When an adult loses a tooth, there's no hope of growing a new one—unless you've got a mouse kidney handy. In a new study, researchers injected human gum tissue extracted during oral surgery into the molars of fetal mice. After giving the cells a week to get used to each other, the scientists implanted the chimeric concoction into the protective tissue surrounding the kidneys of living mice. There, 20% of the cells developed into objects recognizable as teeth, complete with the root structures missing from artificial tooth implants. The next step is to transplant these so-called 'bio-teeth' back into human mouths and see if they grow into something that we can chew on—or rather, with."
They wash them (Score:5, Funny)
No need to worry about how gross that sounds, they wash them before putting them in, using a special sterilizing soap grown from a rat's testicles.
Really, a fake tooth is fine, thanks (Score:4, Funny)
As tempting as putting something in my mouth grown from a mouse's kidney sounds, I'll just take a crown or some bridgework, thanks.
It sounds good but (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Why not just grow it in our mouth. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:They wash them (Score:4, Funny)
Nicholson [pointing a gun at DiCaprio]: I taste a rat!
DiCaprio: Those are you're new implants, boss!
Nicholson [putting gun away]: Oh yeah. It's going to take some time to get used to these...
Re:Why not just grow it in our mouth. (Score:5, Funny)