| Page Title |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Background |
For mammals, such as humans, the situation is unfortunately very different. In most instances,
mammals are capable only of incomplete regeneration: the function or structure of an organ
will not be restored after tissue damage, and wounded tissue is most often replaced by scarring.
A key mechanism of regeneration in amphibians is known as epimorphosis, which involves two
very complex biological processes – cell reprogramming and morphogenesis.
During cell reprogramming, local cells, via complex, wound mediated signaling, de-differentiate to
stem cells and (or) other types of tissue specific progenitors, and then proliferate and re-
differentiate into new cells.
During morphogenesis, these new cells are then re-integrated with their neighbors, and then are
structurally organized via tissue, organ and positional specificity.
Amphibians are able to accomplish epimorphic regeneration in a wide variety of tissues including
spinal cords, limbs, hearts, eyes, and even their brains.
mammals are capable only of incomplete regeneration: the function or structure of an organ
will not be restored after tissue damage, and wounded tissue is most often replaced by scarring.
A key mechanism of regeneration in amphibians is known as epimorphosis, which involves two
very complex biological processes – cell reprogramming and morphogenesis.
During cell reprogramming, local cells, via complex, wound mediated signaling, de-differentiate to
stem cells and (or) other types of tissue specific progenitors, and then proliferate and re-
differentiate into new cells.
During morphogenesis, these new cells are then re-integrated with their neighbors, and then are
structurally organized via tissue, organ and positional specificity.
Amphibians are able to accomplish epimorphic regeneration in a wide variety of tissues including
spinal cords, limbs, hearts, eyes, and even their brains.
Regeneration and repair are widespread phenomena in the biological kingdom, but the capacity
varies among species.
Organ / Tissue Regeneration
Both invertebrates and amphibians can replace lost or damaged organs and tissues that are
identical in structure and function to the original, in a process called complete regeneration.
varies among species.
Organ / Tissue Regeneration
Both invertebrates and amphibians can replace lost or damaged organs and tissues that are
identical in structure and function to the original, in a process called complete regeneration.
In humans, over millions of years of evolution, epimorphosis has been lost, and most tissues are
terminally differentiated with very limited capability for de-differentiation and regeneration. While
some regeneration is observed in the human liver, as well as in the kidney following acute injury,
the rest of the human body's critical systems reveal extremely low capability to regenerate
damaged tissues and functions associated with them.
Cellular / Genetic Repair
In a similar fashion to their regenerative prowess, many of these unique species possess
fascinating skills for repairing and reversing cellular and genetic damage.
Cancer, as an example, is found to be extremely rare in tissues of species displaying an
efficient regenerative mechanism, even under the action of carcinogens. When cancer
does occur, it is mainly in aged tissues that have exhausted their regenerative ability. In many
cases, tumors have been found to spontaneously re-model and integrate into their surroundings
as normal, healthy tissue.
Recent study into these repair mechanisms have found them to be intricately connected to the
same reprogramming dynamics that are employed during regeneration. Some of these species
have even evolved to leverage these capabilities on a whole organism basis, diluting out
toxins, reversing cellular senescence (aging), and achieving biological immortality.
terminally differentiated with very limited capability for de-differentiation and regeneration. While
some regeneration is observed in the human liver, as well as in the kidney following acute injury,
the rest of the human body's critical systems reveal extremely low capability to regenerate
damaged tissues and functions associated with them.
Cellular / Genetic Repair
In a similar fashion to their regenerative prowess, many of these unique species possess
fascinating skills for repairing and reversing cellular and genetic damage.
Cancer, as an example, is found to be extremely rare in tissues of species displaying an
efficient regenerative mechanism, even under the action of carcinogens. When cancer
does occur, it is mainly in aged tissues that have exhausted their regenerative ability. In many
cases, tumors have been found to spontaneously re-model and integrate into their surroundings
as normal, healthy tissue.
Recent study into these repair mechanisms have found them to be intricately connected to the
same reprogramming dynamics that are employed during regeneration. Some of these species
have even evolved to leverage these capabilities on a whole organism basis, diluting out
toxins, reversing cellular senescence (aging), and achieving biological immortality.
While humans do possess inherent DNA repair mechanisms within each of the trillions of cells of
their bodies, surveilling the genome and correcting daily damage, these capabilities are
diminished substantially over time as we age.
their bodies, surveilling the genome and correcting daily damage, these capabilities are
diminished substantially over time as we age.
