The Axolotl's Superpower: Tissue Regeneration!

    This article discusses the sequencing of the axolotl genome, and how it may be significant in regards to human health/medical treatments. Axolotls are neotenic- in other words, they never reach "full maturity". This is how they keep their gills and continue to live underwater. They also hold the title for the largest genome ever fully sequenced. Scientists are particularly interested in researching axolotls for their incredible ability to regenerate lost tissues- even having the capability to regrow their spinal cords, and parts of their brains! Scientists may be able to learn from this ability and translate it into the medical field. Since axolotls have been used as model organisms, health-related events observed in them, such as heart problems, can be studied, and then used in respect to human health-related problems.

    I find this article to be incredibly interesting. The concept of utilizing the information axolotls provide regarding regeneration in a medical sense for humans is groundbreaking. I can only imagine the different manners in which it could be used to better our medical treatments- such as use on burn victims or use in combating degenerative diseases. It makes me wonder just how far we can push the bounds of this regenerative ability- I know we as humans will not be able to regrow entire limbs, but to what extent will we be able to practice this ability in the medical field? 

One Step Closer to Tissue Regeneration in Mammals

Scientists at Duke University have been studying genes that enable tissue regeneration in several fish and reptiles with the hopes that one day humans will possess the same ability. In their endeavors, the scientists have identified regulatory sequences that they call 'tissue regeneration enhancer elements' or TREEs, which can turn on genes in injury sites. Once the genes are turned on, the healing of damaged tissue and even regrowth of missing limbs begins to occur.

Collaborator Brian L. Black, PhD, of the University of California, San Francisco attached one TREE to a gene called lacZ (found in the genome of zebrafish) and was able to activate gene expression in the injured paws and hearts of transgenic mice.

This of course can be considered a significant breakthrough because this means that one day it may be possible to repair and regrow damaged or missing body parts in mammals, even humans.

I have read about several similar studies to this in the past and find it very exciting to consider all the possible medical advances that can be made if studies like this can continue to make significant discoveries. Tissue and limb regeneration in humans is an intriguing concept to think about but studies such as this one put into perspective just how possible it really is.

To be honest though, when I read this article I couldn’t help but to think of Marvel’s own Dr. Curtis Connors (The Amazing Spiderman). Dr. Connors in the comics/movie also studied tissue regeneration in reptiles and well, when he tested the gene on himself he turned into a giant lizard-man…

Cardiac Stem Cells vs. The Heart Attack

Currently at the University of Vermont, Professor Jeffrey Spees, Ph.D. and other researchers have been working towards the invention of a method to combat cardiac problems.  Hundreds of thousands of people have heart attacks every year and sadly many die from it.  The use of stem cells has been key to the work done thus far to hinder the ailments of the heart.  Stem cells can be grown to any particular cell the body needs.  They are used to regrow or repair damaged cells in the body.  Once the cells are grown they need to be grafted into position, which can prove very difficult.  

The lack of adhesion and death are among the most common forms of stem cell graft failures.  To aid in this problem, the researchers used progenitor cells made from bone marrow, which has the ability to form stromal cells that help with blood cell formation.  The ligands secreted by these cells help the stem cells to attach and thrive in the body.  This method allowed for the cardiac stem cells to be successfully placed in the heart of a rat, which proved to be the most successful trial to date.  Although human application has not been attempted yet, the results are very promising thus far. 

Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131205123453.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130130101820.htm