Impressive Feet

Often capturing a picture is about patience and preparation. This embryonic foot from a Madagascar giant day gecko (Phelsuma grandis) was first ‘cleared’, using chemicals to sluice away opaque molecules, leaving its delicate early tissues behind. Captured on a high-powered microscope, hundreds of high-resolution images are stitched together. The final image reveals chemical stains highlighting the gecko’s early nerves (blue) and other tissues including bone and skin in warmer colours. Geckos are still revealing their secrets to developmental biologists fascinated by the ability to regenerate limbs after amputation. Comparing the steps of this impressive feat to human healing may lead to fresh approaches to dealing with spinal injury. Elsewhere engineers are also taking inspiration from the gecko’s foot – creating sticky robots than can grip onto wet surfaces like those in and around the human body.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image by Grigorii Timin & Dr. Michel Milinkovitch – 1st Place in Nikon Small World 2022 Photomicrography Competition
• Laboratory of Artificial & Natural Evolution, Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
• Image copyright held by Grigorii Timin & Dr. Michel Milinkovitch