A new study from Northwestern University developed a customized video game to help chronic stroke survivors regain lost arm function. After six weeks of therapy, participants showed significant improvement in arm function and daily activities, with scores improving up to 7.8 times that of the control group.
A team of researchers discovered that the way cells sense oxygen determines if regeneration can even begin in mammalian limbs. They found that regenerative-competent amphibians show reduced oxygen-sensing capacity, while mammals respond strongly to oxygen and switch off regenerative programs.
New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals planarian stem cells ignore their nearest neighbors and respond to signals further away in the body. This discovery may help explain the flatworm's extraordinary ability to regenerate and offer clues for developing new ways to replace or repair tissues in humans.
Researchers have established apple snails as a system to study eye regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease. The team discovered that the snail eye is anatomically similar to humans and can regrow itself, with genes such as pax6 playing a crucial role in development.
Researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory found that activating specific neurons in the axolotl brain is essential for tail regeneration. The study suggests a comparable group of neurons may impact regenerative responses in mammals.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have identified a neurohormone responsible for triggering arm detachment in starfish. The team's discovery sheds light on the complex interplay of neurohormones and tissues involved in autotomy, a well-known survival strategy in the animal kingdom.
Researchers from Kyushu University and Harvard Medical School have identified proteins that can reprogram fibroblasts into cells with properties similar to limb progenitor cells. The new method simplifies the process of regenerating human limbs after amputation and could one day be used to give snakes back their legs.
A team of researchers from Keck School of Medicine of USC identified key cells involved in lizard cartilage regeneration and discovered their role in rebuilding cartilage damaged by osteoarthritis. They successfully induced cartilage building in a lizard limb by recreating a tail-like signaling environment.
Researchers at UNIGE and FMI successfully modified the structure and function of tentacle cells in hydra by reducing Zic4 expression, resulting in transdifferentiation into foot cells. The study provides new insights into transdifferentiation mechanisms and could pave the way for therapies to regenerate deficient cell types in humans.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that the Newtic1 protein plays a crucial role in limb regeneration by secreting TGFβ1 growth factors. This discovery sheds light on the regenerative abilities of adult newts and their potential as a model for regenerative medicine.
Stowers scientists investigate macrophage activation states in zebrafish sensory organ, discovering three distinct anti-inflammatory pathways that may inform human regenerative immunotherapies. The study provides valuable insights into the timing and genetic programs of macrophages, a type of white blood cell, in repair and regeneration.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered that changes in the extracellular environment during metamorphosis and body growth enable newt muscle fibers to dedifferentiate and contribute to limb regeneration. This process is crucial for newts' ability to regenerate limbs throughout their life cycle.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have challenged the common belief that nerves are necessary for limb regeneration in mammals. Their studies, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research and Developmental Biology, found that mechanical loading is a critical component for mammalian regeneration.
New tools for working with axolotls, developed by Prayag Murawala, hold promise for treating traumatic injury and disease. The axolotl's ability to regenerate tissues and organs could lead to new insights into human health.
Researchers at Tufts University successfully regrow a functional, nearly complete limb on adult frogs using a five-drug cocktail and silicone wearable bioreactor dome. The treatment sets in motion an 18-month period of growth restoring a fully functional leg.
A recent study by James Godwin, Ph.D. has identified the liver as a primary reservoir for pro-regenerative macrophages essential to limb regeneration in axolotls. The research paves the way for regenerative medicine therapies in humans, potentially treating diseases like heart and lung disease with scar-free healing.
A USC-led study has improved lizard tail regeneration through stem cell-based therapy, leading to the creation of tails with skeletal and nerve tissue on both sides for the first time in history. This breakthrough informs efforts to improve wound healing in humans, particularly for injuries that don't naturally regenerate.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have identified a gene that plays a central role in the evolution of limb development in vertebrates. By manipulating this gene in mice, they were able to activate an ancestral form of limb development seen in early tetrapods.
Researchers discovered differences in molecular signaling that promote regeneration in axolotls, while blocking it in adult mice. This finding brings science closer to developing regenerative medicine therapies for humans.
Researchers aim to determine if cellular mechanisms responsible for regenerating tendons in axolotls also apply to human tendon injuries. The study will explore the role of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix in tendon healing.
Researchers discover that West African lungfish can regenerate lost tails using similar molecular mechanisms as amphibians, suggesting a common ancestor possessed this trait. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary origin of tail regeneration and offers potential opportunities for regenerative medicine.
A new imaging technique, DEEP-Clear, developed by MDI Biological Laboratory scientist Prayag Murawala enables unprecedented insight into subcellular structures and tissues. The method expands the range of animal models that can be studied, processes that can be explored, and biological questions that can be addressed.
A new regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) technology has been developed to improve the control and precision of prosthetic hands for upper limb amputees. The RPNIs allowed participants to perform complex finger and thumb movements with high accuracy and worked for up to 300 days without requiring recalibration.
By blocking the expression of c-Answer, a newly identified gene, researchers found that tadpoles can no longer regrow lost tails or limbs. The loss of this gene may have led to the evolution of appendage regeneration in cold-blooded animals.
Researchers at Clemson University discovered that salamanders use temperature rather than humidity to anticipate changes in their environment, and harness limb regeneration to minimize the impact of hot temperatures. This adaptation may have implications for other animals and plants, and could provide insights into regenerative medicine.
Scientists studied how garfish regrow fins and found genes and mechanisms responsible for this process. These findings suggest that the last common ancestor of fish and tetrapods had a specialized response for appendage regeneration.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that axons use a 'battering ram' approach to enter the spinal cord wall during early development, contradicting a widely-held hypothesis. This discovery could lead to new strategies for repairing brachial plexus injuries and regenerative therapies.
Researchers at Tufts University have discovered that delivering progesterone via a wearable bioreactor can induce partial limb regeneration in adult frogs. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for amputation injuries, potentially benefiting millions of people worldwide.
A team of scientists designed a bioreactor device that induces partial hindlimb regeneration in adult frogs by stimulating tissue repair at the amputation site. The device triggers complex downstream outcomes, resulting in bigger, more structured appendages.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and the University of Dayton discovered a novel gene, Newtic1, expressed in red blood cells that may contribute to adult newt limb regeneration. The study found that Newtic1-expressing erythrocytes play a crucial role in releasing growth factors into regenerating blood vessels.
Recent research suggested natural regeneration is superior to tree-planting, but a new study criticizes the sites chosen for evaluation, citing apples-to-oranges comparisons. The authors argue that natural regeneration isn't always successful and recommend giving it a chance before intervening with human aid.
Researchers have discovered that certain genes are shared between salamanders and humans, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating spinal cord injuries. By studying the molecular mechanisms at work in salamanders, scientists hope to understand why humans cannot regenerate nerves after injury.
Researchers have sequenced the axolotl genome, the largest genome ever to be decoded, to study molecular basis of regrowing limbs and other forms of regeneration. The analysis discovered several genes that are expressed in regenerating limb tissue and revealed key roles for PAX3 and PAX7 genes in muscle and neural development.
Scientists have described a new species of fish-scale geckos (Geckolepis megalepis) that possess the largest scales of any gecko. These unique geckos can lose their skin at the slightest touch, making them challenging to study.
A new species of gecko with massive scales has been identified, having the largest scales of any gecko. The skin of this gecko is specially adapted to tearing, allowing it to escape predators easily and regenerate its scales quickly.
A new genomic tool for salamander biology has been developed, providing a comprehensive resource for researchers studying limb regeneration. The tool offers insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this process and may hold potential for repairing human tissues damaged by injury or disease.
A new study reveals that acorn worms can regrow every major body part, including the head, nervous system, and internal organs, from nothing after being sliced in half. The researchers hope to unlock the genetic network responsible for this feat and apply it to humans.
Researchers have found that axolotl salamanders can regenerate significant portions of their adult ovary after injury. This ability could lead to new treatments for pre-mature ovarian failure and reduced fertility in humans.
Scientists tracked epidermal cells' behavior during regrowth of adult limbs in crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis. They identified sequence of events and cell behaviors, including wound closure and extensive cell division.
Researchers studied axolotl embryos and found unusual bursts in gene expression that could aid understanding of limb regeneration. This knowledge may lead to new insights into human regenerative medicine and the development of therapies.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory decipher genetic code controlling limb regeneration in zebrafish, axolotl, and bichir, revealing common genetic regulators. The discovery may lead to new therapies for wound healing and prosthetic device development, but a timeline for regrowing limbs remains uncertain due to funding constraints.
Researchers found conserved microRNAs involved in regulating blastema formation across three evolutionarily distant species, including salamander and ray-finned fish. The study suggests a potential common regulatory process for limb regeneration.
Researchers found that larval newts use stem/progenitor cells for muscle regeneration, while metamorphosed newts recruit skeletal muscle fiber cells. The study also revealed that skin, bone, muscle, and nerve tissues can regenerate faithfully in both stages of development.
A UCLA-led collaboration has identified a specific gene network and pattern of expression that promotes repair in the peripheral nervous system. This network does not exist in the central nervous system, but researchers have found a drug that can enhance nerve regeneration there.
Researchers examine human digit healing and regenerative potential, identifying key components required for complex tissue development. The goal of epimorphic regeneration, which would enable humans to grow entire limbs, is considered a radical approach that could transform prognosis and quality of life for amputees.
Scientists have developed a method to regrow functional joints in frogs using a 'reintegration' mechanism. This approach could potentially be used to regenerate limbs in mammals and humans. The research paves the way for further studies on functional joint regeneration.
Dr. Michael Brand's research focuses on understanding how the brain can be stimulated to regenerate, aiming to develop new therapies for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. The ERC Advanced Grant will support his investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying the zebrafish brain's ability to regenerate itself after a lesion.
Researchers found that salamander-like regenerative capacities exist in fossil tetrapods from the Carboniferous and Permian periods. This suggests that high regeneration was a primitive state for all four-legged vertebrates, potentially lost in evolution.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has discovered the genetic 'recipe' for lizard tail regeneration, which involves turning on at least 326 genes in specific regions. This finding may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injuries and birth defects.
Researchers have identified a critical molecular pathway, the ERK pathway, that determines whether an adult cell can be reprogrammed and aid in limb regeneration. Constantly active ERK pathway may unlock new therapies for human diseases.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that Kinect-based virtual reality training can improve upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients. The training also promotes brain reorganization, specifically targeting the contralateral sensorimotor cortex.
Scientists at NYU Langone Health have discovered a population of self-renewing stem cells in the nail matrix that depend on Wnt signaling proteins to regenerate bone and tissue. This breakthrough holds promise for therapies to help people regenerate lost limbs, affecting an estimated 1.7 million Americans with amputations.
Researchers found that zebrafish fin regeneration relies on multiple cell types, each retaining its original identity, rather than a single pluripotent stem cell. This discovery has implications for regenerative medicine in humans.
Researchers at WPI are working on advanced prosthetic limbs that can be fully integrated with the body and nervous system, enabling more independent lives for those with amputations. The $1.6 million allocation will fund work on neural control for prosthetics, aiming to regenerate nerves and connect limbs directly to the brain.
Researchers investigated over 300 proteins in axolotl limbs, discovering key proteins involved in cell reprogramming and avoiding cell death. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of limb regeneration and potentially lead to new treatments for human amputations.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover essential cellular pathway in zebrafish that enables limb regeneration by activating genes required to build a copy of the lost limb. Histone demethylation switches cells from inactive to active state, turning on genes needed for regeneration.
Researchers found that salamanders' regenerative cells retain the 'memory' of their original tissue, contributing only to the same type of tissue. This suggests that harnessing salamander's regenerative wonders may be within the realm of possibility for human medical science.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have engineered transplantable living nerve tissue that encourages and guides regeneration in an animal model. The lab-grown nerves successfully promoted nerve regeneration after injury by acting as a 'living scaffold' for host axons to regenerate across the damage site.
A UK research team discovered a new molecular cue that promotes limb regeneration in newts, which could help guide the field of regenerative medicine. The finding was recognized with the 2008 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize.
Researchers have found evidence of mesenchymal stem cells in the periosteum of deer pedicles, which are responsible for antler regeneration. The study suggests that understanding this unique process could have significant implications for regenerative medicine.