Science has advanced so far that the incredible becomes apparent. In their laboratories, scientists manage to create what only Mother Nature could do.
Bacteria that feed on plastic
Researchers in Japan have discovered bacteria that can eat plastic, more specifically polyethylene terephthalate, which is one of the most abundant on Earth. They hope these bacteria can be used to reduce plastic waste.
Blood stem cells
In 2017, scientists managed to grow the stem cells needed for blood production. Through this, they hope to be able to treat diseases such as leukemia and that they will have enough blood for a transfusion.
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Leather
Usually leather is obtained from cow skins. But Modern Meadow has developed a method for making real leather without killing animals. They grow a strain of yeast that makes collagen. This protein gives the skin strength and elasticity.
An ear
Japanese scientists claim that artificial ears can be grown to order and transplanted to humans in the next five years. They've recently grown a human auricle on the back of a laboratory mouse.
Trachea
Swedish scientists were able to grow a human trachea from stem cells. On top of that, they transplanted her to a cancer patient whose airway was blocked by a tumor.
Limb
Harald Ott of Massachusetts Hospital was able to grow a rat limb from living cells. This achievement may go down in history as the first step towards creating real, biologically functional limbs for the disabled.
Mosquitoes
Why do we need to grow mosquitoes, you say. But in this case, in an American laboratory, mosquitoes are specially grown, which are designed to carry bacteria that are harmful to other mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus and other dangerous diseases.
"Fuel" bacteria
In 2013, a team of researchers from the University of Exeter (UK) made the bacteria E. coli (E. coli) to produce diesel fuel. Such fuel does not need to be mixed with petroleum products before filling the vehicle tank.
clothing
Not only is leather grown in the laboratory, but other clothing materials too. A company called Biocouture began developing clothing from a special material that can be obtained using a large container (like a bathtub), green tea, sugar, and special bacteria. Once bio-garments are worn out, they can be easily disposed of.
Diamonds
We are not talking about the synthetic stone known as the zirconium cube. You cannot imagine how many diamonds with the same chemical characteristics as natural diamonds are grown in laboratories. Many of them have already made it to the shelves of famous jewelry stores.
Burgers
Since 2008, scientists have been trying to get completely edible meat in the laboratory and, finally, their efforts have been crowned with success in 2013. Taking stem cells from a cow, the scientists grew from them 20,000 muscle fibers, which were then extracted from their test tubes and formed into a cutlet. It was used to make a hamburger that was eaten at a tasting in London.
Sperm
Scientists at Nanjing Medical University in China have been able to turn stem cells from mice into sperm cells, offering hope for a treatment for male infertility.
Coral
Scientists have come up with a way to grow corals in a test tube by collecting sex cells released from various coral colonies located near the island of Curacao. Scientists' advances can prevent the disappearance of coral reefs.
Brain
Scientists have recently begun growing tiny balls of human brain tissue. They are only about 4 mm in diameter. By examining them, scientists hope to understand the nature of diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Svetlana Bodrik