The study of limb regeneration is not a new concept, it has been theorized and tried multiple times. These studies are normally conducted on animals such as salamanders that are already able to regenerate their limbs on their own. In animals such as lizards, their limb regeneration is limited. For the most part the regrown limb is not similar to the past limb, so the new growth tends to be a very poor imitation of the past. At the University of Southern California, Thomas Lozito and his team has been working on regenerating limbs that are more like the original. Lozito uses embryonic stem cells in his work, and through this he has noticed that the newly grown limbs have bone like grooves in the cartilage as well as new neural tissue in the tip of the tail. This is a step in the right direction for limb regeneration as this is the closest to a replica of the past limb anyone has come. As of right now the new limb still does not have a spinal cord so it is still an imitation of the former limb.
What does this mean for humans though? The researchers at this university hope to one day perfect their study by regrowing the tail. What this could mean is that one day there will be a chance that human limb regeneration will be possible. Besides those working in Lozitos lab, there have been many other studies across the world. Currently some of our organs such as our liver and skin have the ability to regenerate but when it comes to our legs that's where it starts to get a little tricky. It has been noted that, unlike salamanders, we do not have a gene that will allow us to regenerate. Hopefully one day all of these studies will allow us to understand limb regrowth and allow us to regrow ours on our own.
Sara Dunn (5)
Hello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting because of how little we know about regenerating limbs. I think it would be really cool to be able to regenerate limbs in humans because it help with a lot of injuries, or illness. It would be interesting to see what other research they have done with limbs.
-Jackelyn Raymundo
Are the genes involved in limb regeneration in salamanders linked to the HOX genes? If they are that could mean that the future of human limb regeneration may be promising, as HOX genes are highly conserved genes across vertebrates. Maybe one day we will be able to inject the genes involved in limb regeneration from salamanders into our own genome (if its actually connected to HOX)?
ReplyDelete- Declan Downing
I believe it is linked to the HOX gene, though I am not entirely sure about that. I know that this has been something people have been researching a lot over the years though and hopefully it is achievable. - Sara Dunn
DeleteHello Sara,
ReplyDeletethis is such a cool topic. In my plant biology class, the professor noted that plants can regenerate their leaves and stems and animals don't really have the same ability. It is nice to know that scientists and researchers are working on limb regeneration because people who lose a limb will have the opportunity to regain their lost limb.
- Kristina Baldeo
Yes it is very interesting, it will probably take quite awhile but hopefully with the technology we have today and the technology it will be achieved.- Sara Dunn
DeleteHi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI always thought that human limb regeneration was something you'd find in a fictional movie, but hearing that there's a possibility that this idea can be considered realistic is definitely something worth looking into. Its cool to think that we could potentially find a way to mimic the abilities of certain reptiles such as the salamander. This theory could benefit many amputees as although modern prosthetics have become very realistic, they do cause some pain to the wearers.
- Brianna Bailey
It is something that seems more fictional than non fictional but the more research that goes into it the more likely it will be able to happen one day. Hopefully it will be able to help those out that are amputees/born with a limb defect. - Sara Dunn
DeleteHi, I think you chose a very interesting topic to write about. It was fascinating to read about the science behind the thought that we can one day grow our own limbs.
ReplyDelete- Tugba Kahveci
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic to talk about. There are many animals who can regenerate their limbs but I didn't know that there was research going on about it, trying to learn more maybe in hopes for us to be able to as well. Hopefully we will get there and it would be amazing to be able to help those who may need this
-Selena Yim
ReplyDeleteIt's always interested me how animals can grow new limbs! I don't know about the possibility of limb regrowth in humans (although the idea is so cool) but advancements in technology concerning regeneration is very hopeful!
Morianna Saint-Cyr