The axolotl, a beloved aquarium pet, is gaining attention from researchers for its remarkable regenerative abilities to regrow limbs, organs, and even brain tissue. A study published in Nature Communications involved genetically modified axolotls to help scientists investigate the molecular mechanisms behind this regeneration. With the potential insight this research provides, scientists aim to understand whether human limbs could one day be regenerated similarly. Despite being critically endangered in their native habitat, axolotls continue to capture the public's imagination and provide valuable scientific insights.
This species is special, said James Monaghan, a Northeastern University biologist who led the research. They've really become the champion of some extreme abilities that animals have.
One marvel is that to enable a body part to grow back, the cells responsible for that growth need to somehow register where they are on the body.
Salamanders have been famous for their ability to regenerate arms for centuries, Monaghan said. One of the outstanding questions that remain is related to how their regeneration process works at a molecular level.
Researchers used genetically engineered axolotls to understand the molecular underpinnings of their remarkable regenerative abilities, showcasing their potential contributions to medical science.
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