In a pioneering research, scientists claim to have discovered human “shock absorber” which they say performs the same function in people as shock absorbers do in a car.
An international team, led by the University of Sydney, has, in fact, found the molecular structure in the body which functions as human “shock absorber,” the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported.
Many applications
The scientists say the discovery of the molecule can be used on designing improved versions of a human blood vessel and on repairing skin damage, including burns, and can also be applied to treating cardiovascular disease and emphysema, a lung disease which primarily causes shortness of breath.
“This exciting discovery answers the mystery of how our bodies accommodate our living tissue without it being torn to shreds by its interaction with so many moving parts,” said Professor Tony Weiss, who led the team.
Key part dissected
In fact, the team dissected a key part of the molecule in elastin, the protein that keeps tissues such as skin, lungs and blood vessels elastic during normal processes such as body movement, breathing and blood circulation.
“This finding will benefit our work on designing artificial blood vessels that use replicas of human elastin, to repair and replace human blood vessels, with implications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. — PTI
