Silkworms, shrimps can help repair damaged skin and bones: EU researchers

[Judi Lynn]

The research is being carried out with the help of European Union funding.

Updated: Jul 25, 2024 09:47 AM EST
j
Abhishek Bhardwaj

Researchers are working on new nature-based solutions to help in skin and bone repair, and the new method involves the use of silkworms and even shrimps.

With silkworms, scientists are hoping that they can be used to regenerate human tissue.

This research, funded by the European Union, is being conducted at multiple locations across the globe.

The researchers are trying to decode tissue engineering as a new strategy to tackle the growing need for surgeries or transplants needed in case of diseases, accidents or age-related issues.

Silk is now emerging as a promising nature-based option for stimulating human tissue to self-regenerate.

More:
https://interestingengineering.com/science/silkworm-shrimp-treat-human-ailments

[multigraincracker]

1. Very interesting.

I would invest in this. Might be a long shot with a huge payoff if successful.

[EverHopeful]

2. Decades ago a friend who was a respiratory therapist

told of a burn victim during, IIRC the Vietnam War, who had been heavily bandaged during transport and had spent many days in an overcrowded field hospital.

In what started out sounding like a very sad story, flies had gotten under the bandages and there were maggots under the bandages.

The medic who'd told him the story said that the horrific burns that had been infested with maggots healed up so well as to be almost unrecognizable compared to his other burns.

I know, third-hand, unreliable, anecdotal info but I always wondered if I'd every suffered burns whether I might request maggot treatment.