There are many
various species that have genes that can enable the healing or even the
regrowth of missing limbs. If humans looked back on the evolutionary tree of
life back to the roots, you would see that we share a common ancestor that
possess regenerative properties for lost body parts. Humans lost this special
power through the course of millions of years of evolution. Two species that
still possess this property are salamanders and zebrafish. Researchers have
been studying these species and making a list of all the genes that allows
animals to regenerate a tail or repair damaged tissue. They have discovered
that humans have counterparts to these genes and they believe that the genes
themselves may not be the key to the regeneration process, but in the sequences
that activate these genes when an injury occurs. A study at Duke University
discovered that “tissue regeneration enhancer elements”, called TREEs, are
sequences that activate genes at the site of injuries. Researchers have found
many genes in various animals that promote regeneration. One in particular is a
molecule called neuregulin 1. This molecule has been found to help repair and
regenerate heart muscle cells and even regenerate a missing fin. Dr. Kenneth
Poss of Duke University School of Medicine has led studies specifically trying
to see what activates these genes, what keeps them running while the
regeneration process is being undergone, and what deactivates them when the
process is complete.
The first thing
they looked for in their research was the genes in zebrafish that allows them
to regenerate a fin or heart cells. They found a gene called leptin b that
controls those processes in these fish. The sequence of leptin b was surrounded
by roughly 150,000 base pairs at around 7,000 base pairs away, an enhancer
element was found. This enhancer was cut down to its bare minimum required to
function properly. They found that the element could be separated into two
parts, one for heart repair and the other for repairing a fin. They took these
two sequences and fused them to fibroblast growth factor and neuregulin 1. What
they saw was that zebrafish had superior regenerative responses to injury.
Lastly they tested to see if these TREEs could be effective in mammals. They
tested mice. They found evidence that shows that there is a definite
possibility for mammals to possess regenerative properties for damaged tissues
or maybe even repair and regrow a missing limb.
Regeneration is a really interesting ability. It is amazing that some species possess the ability
to regrow a fin or body part after an injury. I think research should be
continued on regeneration. In particular, research should be done to see if it
is possible for people to possess this ability. It would be amazing if one-day
humans could be able to regrow a limb. There are many tragedies that happen
throughout the world such as car accidents, shark attacks, war injuries, etc.
and it would be great if we could uncover the mysteries behind regeneration so
that people can repair their own injuries.
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