Recent discoveries about ‘immortal’ flatworms are rewriting what we know about stem cells. Scientists at the Stowers Institute have uncovered new principles in how flatworm stem cells regenerate body parts. Their research reveals that, unlike most living organisms where stem cells rely on signals from nearby cells, these flatworms operate differently.
Flatworms Offer New Clues for Human Medicine
Planarian flatworms possess incredible regenerative abilities. They can regrow entire body parts using unique stem cell behavior. This challenges the established belief that stem cells always need instructions from their surrounding environment. Instead, the flatworm’s stem cells seem to have an internal program guiding their regeneration.
Impact on Regenerative Medicine
Understanding these new mechanisms could revolutionize tissue repair and regenerative medicine in humans. By studying how flatworm stem cells work independently, scientists hope to unlock new ways to heal or regrow human tissues. The findings may pave the way for breakthroughs in medical treatments for injuries and degenerative diseases.
Sources:
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