Real World Skelo-grow May Be on the Way

In the second Harry Potter movie, Kenneth Branagh — in the role of Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher — accidentally removes Harry's entire arm bone. But thanks to the magic of "skelo-grow," the bone grows back overnight.

If only it were so simple in real life.

Now, though, it may be much easier to regrow lost bone (or create new bone) thanks to the invention of a unique "scaffolding." According to an article in ScienceDaily, an Israeli researcher's "artificial and flexible scaffolding connects tissues together as it releases growth-stimulating drugs to the place where new bone or tissue is needed — like the scaffolding that surrounds an existing building when additions to that building are made."

The new scaffolding isn't quite ready for prime time, though it's proved promising in animal models. If it makes its way to human medical practice, it could allow doctors to actually regrow bone lost in accidents, or add enough bone to a receding jaw to securely place a tooth implant.

In fact, the scaffolding could even be used in plastic surgery, allowing doctors to build and then grow higher cheek bones, manlier chins and poofier lips.

Angelina Jolie, watch your back!

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng