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Tag: Grow

  • Japan Tests Groundbreaking Drug That Could Grow Teeth in Adults

    Japan Tests Groundbreaking Drug That Could Grow Teeth in Adults

    Picture a future where tooth loss no longer requires costly implants, ill-fitting dentures, or artificial bridges. Instead, a single treatment could trigger the natural regrowth of a tooth, offering a permanent biological solution. What once sounded like science fiction is now moving toward reality, driven by groundbreaking research in Japan.
    Image Credits: updateordie

    Picture a future where tooth loss no longer requires costly implants, ill-fitting dentures, or artificial bridges. Instead, a single treatment could trigger the natural regrowth of a tooth, offering a permanent biological solution. What once sounded like science fiction is now moving toward reality, driven by groundbreaking research in Japan.

    Image Credits: updateordie

    In September 2024, Kyoto University and Kitano Hospital began the first human trials of a drug that blocks USAG-1, a protein that prevents extra teeth. If successful, the treatment could reach the market by 2030. This article reviews the breakthrough and its potential impact on global dentistry.

    In September 2024, Kyoto University and Kitano Hospital began human trials of a drug that blocks USAG-1, the protein that stops extra teeth from forming. If progress continues smoothly, the medication could become commercially available by 2030. This article explores how the innovation could reshape global dentistry.

    Image Credits: updateordie

    The protein USAG-1 (Uterine Sensitization-Associated Gene-1) functions as a natural “brake” on tooth formation. USAG-1 suppresses extra tooth growth. About 1% of people have congenital tooth agenesis, while over 90% of Japanese over 75 experience tooth loss from decay, injury, or disease.

    Image Credits: updateordie

    The experimental drug TRG-035, developed by Kyoto University spin-off Toregem Biopharma, uses monoclonal antibodies to block USAG-1 and reactivate BMP signaling, allowing dormant tooth buds to grow into complete teeth. In animal trials with mice and ferrets, a single intravenous dose successfully generated new teeth without major side effects.

    Phase 1 Trials Underway at Kyoto University Hospital

    Reports confirm that Phase 1 clinical trials began in September 2024 at Kyoto University Hospital. The trial involves 30 men aged 30–64 with at least one missing molar and will run until August 2025 to evaluate safety, dosage, and side effects. Participants receive intravenous doses, with progress monitored through imaging and clinical evaluations.

    Updates from 2025 suggest encouraging results. By late 2024, the drug was tested in adults with acquired tooth loss, and Toregem Biopharma plans Phase 2 trials in 2025 for children aged 2–7 with oligodontia.Affecting about 0.1% of the population, this disorder can lead to nutritional and developmental challenges.

    Dr. Takahashi’s Vision and Toregem’s Backing

    Dr. Takahashi, who has spent nearly three decades studying tooth regeneration, stated: “We want to help people struggling with missing teeth. There is no permanent cure today, but hopes for tooth regrowth are strong.” Supported by over 100 collaborators, Toregem has funding from AMED and partners like WuXi Biologics. In 2023, Toregem raised 380 million yen to accelerate its research and development.

    By 2025, developments remain promising. Early 2025 reports confirmed no major side effects in trials, and Toregem Biopharma presented findings at global events, highlighting potential benefits for older adults.

    Still, challenges persist. Experts caution that animal trial results may not translate to humans, calling claims of a “third set of teeth” controversial. Concerns include ensuring correct tooth positioning to avoid misalignment and confirming long-term durability. Initial treatments may cost as much as implants (US$3,000–5,000 per tooth), though insurance could ease expenses.

    Ethical and accessibility issues also play a role.Although early use targets rare conditions (1%), the long-term goal is treating common cases like cavities; in Brazil, where 15% of adults have tooth loss, this could cut public health costs.

    TRG-035 as a Third Alternative to Dentures and Implants

    If approved, TRG-035 could become a “third option” alongside dentures and implants. For children with agenesis, it would remove the need for frequently replaced dentures during growth. For adults and seniors, it could restore natural chewing, improving digestion and overall quality of life. Globally, the treatment has potential to help the estimated 5% of people living with partial tooth loss.

    Meanwhile, complementary research is advancing. At King’s College London, scientists are testing Tideglusib to stimulate dentin regeneration in cavities using biodegradable sponges. Together, these innovations point toward a future of regenerative dentistry, where natural biology replaces synthetic solutions.

    The outlook is credible and supported by reliable sources such as The Mainichi, New Atlas, and PubMed. With clinical trials ongoing and a projected launch around 2030, the USAG-1 inhibitor marks a major milestone. That said, patience is essential—scientific progress is deliberate to guarantee safety. Until then, good oral hygiene and regular dental care remain the best defense. Still, the day may come when regrown teeth are not the exception, but the standard in dentistry.

    Read the original article on: Up Date Ordie

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  • Robots Can now Grow and Self-Repair using Parts From other Machines

    Robots Can now Grow and Self-Repair using Parts From other Machines

    Modern robots are limited by rigid, closed bodies that can't grow, self-repair, or adapt. But scientists at Columbia University have now created robots that can physically "grow," "heal," and enhance themselves by absorbing material from their surroundings or other robots.
    Image Credits: Techcrunch

    Modern robots are limited by rigid, closed bodies that can’t grow, self-repair, or adapt. But scientists at Columbia University have now created robots that can physically “grow,” “heal,” and enhance themselves by absorbing material from their surroundings or other robots.

    A new study in Science Advances introduces “Robot Metabolism“—a process that lets robots take in and reuse materials from their environment or other machines.

    Robots That Think, Grow, and Self-Repair

    “True autonomy means robots must think and maintain themselves,” says Philippe Martin Wyder. “Like living beings, they grow, adapt, and repair using materials from their environment or other robots.”

    The researchers showcase this new approach using the Truss Link—a robotic magnetic rod inspired by the Geomag toy. Each Truss Link is a simple, bar-like unit with versatile magnetic connectors that can extend, retract, and attach to other modules at various angles, allowing them to form more complex structures.

    Self-Assembling Robots That Evolve and Improve Themselves

    The researchers demonstrated how individual Truss Links could self-assemble into flat, two-dimensional shapes that then transformed into 3D robots. These robots further enhanced themselves by incorporating additional modules, effectively “growing” into more advanced machines. In one case, a tetrahedron-shaped robot added an extra link to use as a walking stick, boosting its downhill speed by over 66.5%.

    “Robot intelligence has advanced, but their bodies remain rigid and non-recyclable,” says Hod Lipson, co-author and Columbia professor. He also leads the Creative Machines Lab where the research was conducted.

    “In contrast, biological organisms are inherently adaptable—they grow, heal, and evolve. This flexibility comes from biology’s modular design, where components like amino acids can be reused across different lifeforms. To truly progress, robots must adopt a similar strategy—learning to utilize and repurpose parts from other machines. This emerging concept is what we call ‘machine metabolism.’”

    A Vision of Self-Sustaining Robotic Ecosystems Inspired by Nature

    Researchers envision robots in self-sustaining ecosystems, growing and adapting like nature’s modular systems, leading to resilient, self-improving machines.

    “Robot Metabolism bridges digital intelligence and the physical world, letting AI evolve mentally and physically,” explains Wyder. At first, this capability will serve specialized roles, such as in disaster response or space missions. Eventually, AI could build physical machines as easily as it edits your emails.

    Lipson offers a word of caution: “The idea of self-replicating robots can sound like something out of dystopian science fiction. As robots become more common—from cars to factories—the question is: who will maintain them? We can’t count on humans to do it all. Ultimately, robots will need to learn to sustain and repair themselves.”

    Read the original article on: Techcrunch

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