Is Dr Conner’s Regenerative Transformation Possible?

Authors

  • Vincent So Honours Integrated Science Program, McMaster University

Keywords:

Film, Biology, Cellular regeneration, Limb regeneration, Superhero, Spiderman, Dr Connor

Abstract

In The Amazing Spiderman, Dr Connors injects himself with a regenerative serum containing lizard DNA which causes an amputated arm to regrow overnight. This article explores the possibility of utilizing signal molecules, found in both humans during embryotic development and the healing response of animals with high regenerative capacity, for the regeneration of human limbs. The treatment is found to be plausible but the timeframe for the regrowth of Connor’s arm is unrealistic. 

References

Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, 2012. The Amazing Spiderman (film).

Han, M., Xiaodong, Y., Taylor, G., Burdsal, C.A, Anderson, R.A., and Muneoka, K., 2005. Limb Regeneration in Higher Vertebrates: Developing a Roadmap, The Anatomical Record 287B, 14-24.

Kumar, A., Godwin, J.W., Gates, P.B., and Brockes, J.P., 2014. Molecular Basis for the Nerve Dependence of Limb Regeneration in an Adult Vertebrate, Science 318, 772-777.

Yokoyama, H., 2008. Initiation of limb regeneration: The critical steps for regenerative capacity, Develop. Growth Diff. 50, 13-22.

Marvel, n.d., Curtis Connors, Available at: http://marvel-movies.wikia.com/wiki/Curtis_Connors.

Poss, K.D, Keating, M.T, Nechiporuk, A., 2003. Tales of Regeneration in Zebrafish, Developmental Dynamics 226, 202-210.

Lee, Y., Grill, S., Sanchez, A., Murphy-Ryan, M., Poss, K.D, 2005. Fgf signalling instructs position-dependent growth rate during zebrafish fin regeneration, Development 132, 5173-5183.

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How to Cite

So, V. (2017). Is Dr Conner’s Regenerative Transformation Possible?. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 3. Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/751

Issue

Vol. 3 (2014)

Section

Articles

License

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.  All content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC-BY 4.0).