In Rocket Science piece, Ed Yong explores the state of research on limb regeneration. It seems that mammals are much worse at this than amphibians, perhaps because mammals are more exposed to cancer risks if they take the lid off of cell growth, or perhaps because the excruciatingly long process of regeneration is more suitable for creatures with a very slow metabolism that can hibernate for long periods. Perhaps fast-lane mammals had to develop a more quick-and-dirty way to seal off a wound.
Nevertheless, some mammals retain a surprising ability to regenerate some kinds of tissue. Even humans, especially very young ones, can replace fingertips. The process is of great interest, not just to replace missing parts, but to understand how to avoid disease processes that are associated with the formation of scar tissue, such as fibrosis of the heart or liver.
3 comments:
perhaps because mammals are more exposed to cancer risks if they take the lid off of cell growth
Maybe also because certain embryonic protein can potentiate the effects of cancers, and similar protein actions might open up a similar can of...worms...in a regeneration milieu.
Eric Hines
I have quite a bit of scar tissue I'd be glad to donate, if it would be of help. Most of my right chest is enwrapped in the stuff. It hurts more and more as I get older, though mostly when I lay down to sleep. I rarely notice it otherwise.
This is an important field of study, not only for medical advances, but because there is a terrible philosophical problem laying here. But I won't trouble you with it, in part because I do not yet know what I want to say about it.
Westerners should practice more breathing exercises. It's not just for giving birth and sniping targets at 2 klicks.
The ability to force energy and oxygen into cells to cause them to activate dormant systems and rebalance human systems of transport, can be very useful in defraying healthcare costs and disease onsets.
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