Scientists at The University of Nottingham have discovered the gene that enables an astonishing worm to restore its own body parts after amputation -- as well as a whole head and brain. Their research into the Planarian worm is another piece in the scientific jigsaw that could one day make the regeneration of old or damaged human organs and tissues a real possibility.The research led by Dr Aziz Aboobaker, a Research Councils UK Fellow in the School of Biology shows for the first time that a gene called 'Smed-prep' is essential for correctly regenerating a head and brain in planarian worms. These remarkable creatures contain adult stem cells that are constantly dividing and can become all of the missing cell types. They also have the right set of genes working to make this happen exactly as it should so that when they re-grow body parts they end up in the right place and have the correct size, shape and orientation.
I knew that worms could regenerate their tail or their head if it were to be chopped off, but I never knew that their brains were regenerated to. It's pretty amazing how an animal so small like a worm can do amazing things and regenerate their bodies, while us humans are still trying to figure out if we are able to save a limb or not. Being able to regenerate human body parts would make life a lot more simpler.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100423113721.htm
I find this interesting since the class spent much time on the subject of worms. Maybe one day they could apply their regeneration power to humans.
ReplyDeleteEven after reading the article I can't belive they can regrow their brains, almost like the alien from Men in Black
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