back to article Scots team builds SONIC SCREWDRIVER to repair damaged nerves

A team of scientists and engineers at the University of Glasgow (who are presumably big fans of Dr. Who) are developing a "sonic screwdriver" to help build tissue samples for medicine with a tartan design. Cells that mimic Scotland's most famous designs Cells that mimic Scotland's most famous designs BBC references aside, …

COMMENTS

This topic is closed for new posts.
  1. Mark 85

    Now there's a job description for you...

    Quote: But Dr. Mathis Riehle, a reader in the Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, said...

    A reader? Seriously?

    1. Scoular

      Re: Now there's a job description for you...

      Not familiar with UK academic titles?

    2. Steve Knox

      Re: Now there's a job description for you...

      http://www.thefreedictionary.com/reader

      First entry, definition 5 / second entry, definition 3a / third entry, definition 6.

      1. Mark 85

        Re: Now there's a job description for you...

        Thanks for the definition. I was aware of "reader" being used in the context of a "presenter" for the news but not for a university. All this on El Reg and get to learn something new every day. :)

  2. John Smith 19 Gold badge
    Thumb Up

    Intriguing device.

    If this thing can be applied to nerve cells it might be possible to build a unit capable of re-connecting all the nerves in a spinal column. The problem is both the size of the individual nerves and the huge number of connections to be made.

    This looks like it could have the capacity to handle both.

    1. Robert Helpmann??
      Childcatcher

      Re: Intriguing device.

      Spock's brain! How long until this device can build an entire nervous system from scratch? Yes, many generations out and perhaps a bit of reductio ad absurdum there, but I wonder how many medical ethicists this will keep up at night.

    2. 4ecks

      Re: Intriguing device.

      Another small step from Sci-Fi to reality, I refer to the body-knitting scene from The Fifth Element.

      However the future medical possibilities are interesting - improved healing with less scar tissue, nerve repair, retinal repair, how about bio-mechanical/bio-electronic implants assembled in the lab with no chance of tissue rejection, coupled with nano-tech and stem-cells the myriad uses could do so much for human well-being.

  3. Dave Bell

    This is no surprise

    Is it even possible in Britain that a piece of boffinry like this would not be called a sonic screwdriver?

    1. TRT Silver badge

      Re: This is no surprise

      Is the article saying that sonic tweezers are better than laser tweezers?

  4. AbelSoul
    Coat

    Cumming tartan?

    Haste thee to a gynaecologist!

    Aherm.

    (Mine's the one with the sonic prophylactics in the pocket.)

    1. Don Jefe

      Re: Cumming tartan?

      Look sweetie! That stunt cock is a Scotsman.

      How can you tell?

      He's cumming tartan.

    2. squigbobble
      Headmaster

      Re: Cumming tartan?

      *cough* urologist *cough*

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Cumming tartan?

      LOL'd at that :)

      I presume the reason for picking that specific tartan is the good doctor's boss is Prof Cumming.

  5. Graham Marsden
    Coat

    Can I just say....

    ... CRIVENS!

  6. Don Jefe

    Loss Prevention Specialist Needed

    At Scotland's premier supplier of premium plaid fabrics. Must demonstrate ability to camouflage themselves.

This topic is closed for new posts.