Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Tooth Bud From Stem Cells Looms Large
Implanted tooth buds created from stem cells may replace false teeth. Paul Sharpe, who specializes in the field of regenerative dentistry at King's College, London, believes that this procedure, which has been shown to work in mice, will work in humans as well.
Stem cells taken from the patient are used, which takes care of the possibility of tissue rejection. Stem cells are unique in their ability to grow into any of the cell types in the body. Under laboratory conditions, the stem cells are stimulated to grow into a tooth. After a few weeks, the cells have multiplied into a small group called a "bud." The tooth bud can be inserted into the gum, where it takes resources from the body to grow into a full-sized tooth, stimulating the growth of nerves and blood vessels so it is fully integrated into the body.
Tooth buds are an ordinary part of human growth and development; teeth have three stages of growth - bud, cap and bell. In the developing fetus, patches of epithelial cells (skin cells of the mouth) form tooth buds. Over time, the structures of the tooth form (dentin, cementum and pulp). Deposits of calcium and mineral salts harden the tissue; layers of enamel form from the top of the crown down to the roots. Finally, the tooth errupts from the gum line (from Tooth Bud).
Science fiction fans may recall the cosmetic toothbud transplants from William Gibson's 1984 novel Neuromancer; why be satisfied with ordinary human-type teeth? In an earlier reference, one of the characters in Samuel R. Delany's 1968 Nebula Award-winning novel Babel-17 had walrus-sized incisors.
From Grow-your-own to replace false teeth via How Stuff Works.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 5/6/2004)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 14 )
Related News Stories - (" Biology ")
Lunar Biorepository Proposed For Cryo-Preservation Of Earth Species
'...there was no one alive who had ever seen them. But they existed in the Life Bank.' - John Varley, 1977.
Let's Make Slaver Sunflowers! Engineering Plants To Reflect Light
'The mirror-blossom was a terrible weapon.' - Larry Niven, 1965.
Machete-Wielding Philodendron Isn't Going To Take It Anymore
'The tree ended its wild larruping, stood like a dreaming giant liable to wake into frenzy at any moment.' - Eric Frank Russell, 1943.
Tsunami Forecasts Improved By Ionosphere Signals
'Swifter than any tide could ebb, the water was receding from the shore.'
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Mechazilla Arms Catch A Falling Starship, But Check Out SF Landing-ARMS
'...the rocket’s landing-arms automatically unfolded.'
A System To Defeat AI Face Recognition
'...points and patches of light... sliding all over their faces in a programmed manner that had been designed to foil facial recognition systems.'
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...'
Hybrid Wind Solar Devices
'...the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise.'
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.'
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...'
Solar-Powered Space Trains On The Moon
'The low-slung monorail car, straddling its single track, bored through the shadows on a slowly rising course.'
Drone Deliveries Instead Of Waiters In Restaurants?
'It was a smooth ovoid floating a few inches from the floor...'
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.'
Skip Movewear Arc'teryx AI Pants
'...the terrible Jovian gravity that made each movement an effort.'
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
How Old Are Tesla Designs?
You be the judge.
Is Your Autonomous Tractor Safe?
'The field-minder finished turning the top-soil of a two-thousand-acre field.'
Smart TVs Are Listening!
'You had to live -- did live, from habit that became instinct -- in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard...'
Police Drones In China Would Like To Have A Word With You
''OVERRIDE,' the City Fathers said suddenly, without being asked anything at all.'
Oh Great (Part 2), Fence-Climbing Robots
Please, no stingers.
