The lizard lung forms quickly due to a simple mechanical process that the researchers related to a mesh stress ball—a common toy. The inner membrane presses on smooth muscle tissue as fluid fills the developing lung. The muscle separates into a honeycomb-shaped mesh, and the membrane bulges out through the pores, giving the surface area required for gas exchange.
A recent research study shows how the brown anole lizard resolves one of nature's most challenging issues, breathing, in the simplest method conceivable. As per the researchers, this is the first study to look at the development of a reptile lung and would do wonders for the Artificial Heart-Lung Machine Market.
Human lungs evolve into baroque tree-like structures over months and years. On the other hand, the anole lung develops into primitive lobes with bulbous protuberances in just a few days. While far less polished than human lungs, these gourd-like organs allow the lizard to exchange oxygen for waste gases the same way as human lungs do. Because anole lungs proliferate using basic mechanical procedures, they motivate engineers to create revolutionary biotechnologies.
The anole lung begins as a hollow, elongated membrane surrounded by a homogeneous smooth muscle layer a few days after birth. Lung cells release fluid throughout development, and the cell's inner membrane gently inflates and thins like a balloon.
When pressure is applied to the smooth muscle, it tightens and spreads into fiber bundles, eventually forming a honeycomb-shaped mesh. The flexible membrane continues to bulge outward, passing through holes in the sinewy mesh and generating fluid-filled bulbs that envelop the lung.
Those bulges provide a large surface area for gas exchange, and that's it. The entire procedure takes less than two days and is complete within the first week of incubation.
Palmer could utilize his computer model to produce a workable replica in the lab because the technique is easy enough. While the designed system fell short of the whole complexity of the organic system, it came near.
The researchers employed a silicone material referred to as Ecoflex. It helped them create the membrane, which is routinely used within the film industry for makeup and special effects. The silicone was then wrapped in 3D printed muscle cells to replicate the same corrugations in the inflated silicone that a team member had discovered in the biological organ. They ran into technological difficulties that limited the quality of their product, but in the end, it was uncannily similar to a living organism.
Lizards, commonly found worldwide, have inspired a new artificial lung and framework engineers might enhance toward unforeseeable future goals.