Scientists discover axolotls capacity to renew the limbs

In his current research, there are still gaps that must be filled: How is the CYP26B1 gradient, and how the retinoic acid is connected to Chocolate The gene, and what are the estuary factors that determine the formation of specific structures, such as the humerus bone or the radius circle bones.

From recovery to renewal

Monaghan explains that axolotls does not have a “magic gene” for renewal, but it is involved in the same basic genes as humans. “The main difference lies in accessibility From those genes. While a human injury stimulates genes that stimulate scar Detail removal cellsCells return to a fetus -like condition, where they can respond to signs such as retinoic acid. The researcher explains that this ability to return to a “developmental state” is the basis for its renewal.

So, if humans have the same genes, then why are we not renewed? “The difference is that the seminar can restore this (development) program after injury.” Humans cannot access this development path only during prenatal growth. “We were subjected to selective pressure to close it and recover,” says Monagan. “My dream, and the dream of society, is an understanding of how to move from the scar to the tag.”

James Monagan.Photo: Alisa Stone/Northeast University

Monagan says that, in theory, it will not be necessary to adjust the human DNA to urge renewal, but to intervene in time and space in the body with organizational molecules. For example, the molecular paths that indicate a cell in the elbow can be re -activated on the pinky side – not the thumb – in a regenerative environment using techniques such as CRISPR. “This understanding can be applied in stem cell treatments. For the time time, stem cells planted in the laboratory“ Where are they ”do not know when they are planted. If it can be programmed with local local signals, they can properly integrate into damaged tissues and contribute to structural regeneration, such as the formation of complete sting bone.”

After years of work, an understanding of the role of retinoic acid – which has been taught since 1981 – is a source of deep satisfaction for Monagan. The world imagines in the future as the wound can reactivate development programs in human cells, which mimics the regeneration mechanism for the seminar. Although it is not immediate, he believes that cell engineering that stimulates regeneration is an already goal within the reach of science.

It is reflected on how Axolotl had a second scientific life. “It was a dominant model a hundred years ago, then it has been neglecting for decades, and it has now been repeated thanks to modern tools such as genes and cell analysis.

This story was originally appeared on Wireless En español It was translated from Spanish.