Navigation Links
Regenerating worms help elucidate stem cell biology

Using a tiny flatworm best known for its extraordinary ability to regenerate lost tissue, researchers have identified a gene that controls the ability of stem cells to differentiate into specialized cells. The gene encodes a protein that is most similar to the protein PIWI, an important regulator of stem cells in organisms ranging from plants to humans.

The replacement of tissue lost to injury or shed during the body's normal activities is essential for the survival of most organisms. The new study, published in the November 25, 2005, issue of the journal Science, helps scientists understand how stem cells make this process possible. The research, performed at the University of Utah School of Medicine, was carried out by Helen Hay Whitney postdoctoral fellow Peter W. Reddien (now an Associate Member at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research), and led by Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado.

Salamanders, zebrafish, and other organisms are capable of regenerating entirely new body parts. Although the human body does not face such demands, it is constantly replacing lost cells. For example, blood replenishes itself, wounds heal, and the lining of the gut sloughs off and is restored. Nowhere, however, is the process of regeneration more dramatic than in the freshwater flatworm planaria. Cut one of these animals in half, and a week later, two fully functional worms will have developed from the pieces. Cut a piece that is 1/279th the size of the animal, and it too will regrow into a complete worm.

The process, scientists know, is dependent on stem cells in the adult planaria known as neoblasts. Like all stem cells, neoblasts have the capability to develop into a variety of different cell types, meaning they can transform themselves into whatever tissue is needed after injury, be it intestine, skin, or brain. Even in the absence of injury, these cells are critical to maintain a healthy worm, as t
'"/>

Source:Howard Hughes Medical Institute


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. The secret to longevity in tubeworms
2. Fluorescing lab worms signal longer life spans
3. Deep sea buffet for bone-devouring worms
4. Evolutionary conservation of a mechanism of longevity from worms to mammals
5. Carbon nanotube absorption measured in worms, cancer cells
6. Parasitic worms used to fight bowel disease
7. Scientists elucidate the kinome of key model organism
8. On the track of tiny larvae, a new model elucidates connections in marine ecology
9. Mirrors in the mind: New studies elucidate how the brain reflects onto itself the actions of others
10. Marathon mice elucidate little-known muscle type
11. Insight into DNAs weakest links may yield clues to cancer biology
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Regenerating worms help elucidate stem cell biology

(Date:5/17/2013)... Efficient and Sustainable Global Logistics Operations) is aiming to ... efficiency of intermodal loading systems and the boosting of ... European organisations with experience in the logistics sector and ... 17,000,000 and a duration of three and a half ... the semantic components and ontologies shared by the users, ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... MD The Federation of American Societies for Experimental ... National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding trends highlighting the ... support critical research. The FASEB analysis follows a May ... Collins, MD, PhD, who testified that the $1.6 billion ... sequestration is "having a substantial impact on the scientific ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... 17, 2013) Illustrating a commitment to the ... Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Research Foundation has announced the ... Fellowship Award recipients. Supported by the National Institute ... this new award helps underrepresented minority students to ... nutrition research. , "By establishing this new award, ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):New logistics services that will cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions 2Underrepresented minority students receive fellowships in digestive disease and nutrition research 2
... Department of Agriculture should jointly establish a Nutrient Control ... of actions meant to improve water quality throughout the ... Mexico, says a new report from the National Research ... forward on the larger process of allocating nutrient loading ...
... at The University of Queensland could contribute to the ... virus and Dengue fever. Led by Associate ... School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences identified a novel ... belong. The team found all flaviviruses produced ...
... in a basement laboratory, where he manipulates their genes and ... and he may sound like a comic book villain, but ... to the University of Alberta,s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, ... FMR1 in a fruit fly,s brain will wipe out its ...
Cached Biology News:EPA and USDA should create new initiative to better monitor nutrients 2EPA and USDA should create new initiative to better monitor nutrients 3EPA and USDA should create new initiative to better monitor nutrients 4UQ research targets West Nile virus and dengue fever 2'Fly guy' makes memory breakthrough 2
(Date:5/20/2013)...  Dr. Gerald Zon , noted ... launched a new blog in conjunction with TriLink BioTechnologies. ... focuses on what,s trending in the field of nucleic ... discussions of research presented at conferences and meetings, reviews ... Zon (PhD Princeton University 1971) developed automated synthesis of ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... ROCKVILLE , Md. and BALTIMORE ... Inc. (BHI), a regional private-public partnership focusing ... to early-stage funding in Central Maryland ... Aiyar, Ph.D., M.B.A., as the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) ... (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... -- Rhythm announced today the results of a second ... ghrelin agonist for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis in ... significantly accelerates early gastric emptying and reduces upper gastrointestinal ... gastroparesis. The findings were presented at the Digestive Disease ... and recently published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... 20, 2013 Recognizing exciting and ... members to its 2013 Class of Young Professors. ... will provide this outstanding international group with more ... basic science to meet global challenges.     , The ... promising young and untenured research faculty working in ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Dr. Gerald 'Jerry' Zon Launches New Blog for TriLink BioTechnologies 2BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Names Ram Aiyar as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 2BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Names Ram Aiyar as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 3BioHealth Innovation, Inc. Names Ram Aiyar as Entrepreneur-in-Residence to NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 4Rhythm Announces Phase 1b Results for Ghrelin Prokinetic RM-131 for Gastroparesis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes 2Rhythm Announces Phase 1b Results for Ghrelin Prokinetic RM-131 for Gastroparesis in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes 3DuPont Celebrates Scientific Innovation by Recognizing Young Professors 2DuPont Celebrates Scientific Innovation by Recognizing Young Professors 3
... 10, 2011 Advanced Pain Remedies (APR), a subsidiary ... grant has been received, to advance its lead development ... the targeting of specific cell types to manipulate them ... $3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). ...
... and BOSTON, Jan. 7, 2011 The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), ... University School of Medicine have unveiled a new mammalian genetics ... research and training at both JAX and Tufts. Combining the ... its emphasis on human disease, and the faculty and resources ...
... 7, 2011 A number of new ventures, funded with ... are growing algae to produce biodiesel, jet fuel and other ... (CO2) to "feed" their photosynthetic algae, which as a side ... advantage from using fossil fuel CO2 to grow algae is ...
Cached Biology Technology:Advanced Pain Remedies, a Subsidiary of Cato BioVentures, Announces a Three Million Dollar Award from the National Cancer Institute for SP-SAP 2Advanced Pain Remedies, a Subsidiary of Cato BioVentures, Announces a Three Million Dollar Award from the National Cancer Institute for SP-SAP 3The Jackson Laboratory and Tufts University Announce New Ph.D. Track in Mammalian Genetics 2The Jackson Laboratory and Tufts University Announce New Ph.D. Track in Mammalian Genetics 3Algae Biofuel Spin-Off: Safer New Foods That Can Prevent Genetic Damage 2Algae Biofuel Spin-Off: Safer New Foods That Can Prevent Genetic Damage 3
...
...
...
... in the submicron range are part of ... and control of particle size is important ... can reliably detect the component populations in ... Particle Size Analyzer uses Photon Correlation Spectroscopy ...
Biology Products: