Think from KERA The body parts you can (and can’t yet) replace
Dec 8, 2025
Mary Roach, a science journalist and bestselling author known for her captivating explorations of human anatomy, joins guest host Paige Phelps. They delve into cutting-edge advancements in organ replacement, including the use of genetically modified pigs and chimerism for personalized organ sources. Roach shares insights on biodressings for severe burns, comparing autografts and allografts, and the challenges of immune acceptance. The conversation also touches on the intriguing future of hair regeneration and the complexities of bioprinting tissues.
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Historic Pedicle Grafts And Their Practicality
- Pedicle grafting dates back centuries and involved leaving a skin flap attached to preserve blood supply while rebuilding noses.
- Surgeons later moved graft sites to less visible areas like the underarm but patients endured awkward, immobilizing harnesses.
Frog Skin Used As Temporary Biodressing
- Frog skin was used as a wound biodressing during and after World War I because frogs were abundant near field hospitals.
- The grafts functioned temporarily and were later sloughed off; patients did not permanently gain animal tissue.
Burns Temporarily Lower Rejection Risk
- Severe burns can suppress immune responses, allowing temporary acceptance of xenografts until surgeons replace them.
- Surgeons remove biodressings to freshen wounds and encourage new blood supply because "blood heals."
