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Friday, December 9, 2011

They've got eyes in the back of their head: Researchers create mutant tadpoles with body parts on their tails

Frankenstein-style creatures, including tadpoles with eyes on their backs and tails, have been created by scientists, it was revealed today.

US researchers have been able to grow new organs in parts of the body where they don't normally grow by changing bioelectric signals in cells.

The groundbreaking findings mean that complex organs can be created for transplantation or regenerative therapy, the researchers claim.

All-seeing: An eye created by scientists can be seen on this tadpole shown with a red arrow pointing to it

All-seeing: An eye created by scientists can be seen on this tadpole shown with a red arrow pointing to it

The scientists could even pick the type of organ which was created and specify the location by altering the bioelectrical communication between the animal's cells.

The researchers, from Tuft's University in Massachusetts achieved the most shocking results when they genetically manipulated the membrane voltage of cells in the frog embryo's back and tail and created new eyes - well outside the area they normally form.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2071745/Theyve-got-eyes-head-Researchers-create-mutant-tadpoles-body-parts-tails.html

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