Researchers are closer to unraveling the mystery of science behind regeneration
Many salamanders can readily regenerate a lost limb, but adult mammals, including humans, cannot. Why this is the case is a scientific mystery that has fascinated observers of the natural world for thousands of years.
Now, a team of scientists led by James Godwin, Ph.D., of the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, has come a step closer to unraveling that mystery with the discovery of differences in molecular signaling that promote regeneration in the axolotl, a highly regenerative salamander, while blocking it in the adult mouse, which is a mammal with limited regenerative ability.
The mystery of why salamanders can regenerate a lost limb, but adult mammals cannot has fascinated observers for thousands of years. Now, a team of scientists led by James Godwin, Ph.D., of the MDI Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, has come a step closer to unraveling that mystery with the discovery of differences in molecular signaling that promote regeneration in the axolotl, a highly regenerative salamander, while blocking it in the adult mouse.
Making embryos: a new way?
Appeared in BioNews 1091
Recently there have been some phenomenal reports describing the ability to generate human embryo-like entities directly from stem cells, circumventing the need for egg and sperm. In the same week, researchers from Israel reported the development of post-implantation mouse embryos outside of the uterus to the mid-point of mouse pregnancy; an achievement previously firmly within the realm of science fiction. The work is clearly at the leading edge of cell and developmental biology and challenges the paradigms of what it takes to create an embryo. However, like many ground-breaking studies, it is essential to reflect on what lies beneath.
Australian-led international research team generates first model of early human embryos from skin cells miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.