Regeneration

BenTC · Post by **BenTC** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:09 am

For kurt9... :)

One Gene Lost = One Limb Regained? Scientists Demonstrate Mammalian Regeneration Through a Single Gene Deletion
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 161913.htm

taniwha · Post by **taniwha** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:17 am

That makes me wonder how long until we see regenerative dentistry. I've heard mention of some progress there, but this might be helpful.

djolds1 · Post by **djolds1** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:27 am

taniwha wrote:That makes me wonder how long until we see regenerative dentistry. I've heard mention of some progress there, but this might be helpful.

http://nextbigfuture.com/2006/12/regene ... cture.html
http://nextbigfuture.com/2009/08/bioeng ... on-in.html

BenTC · Post by **BenTC** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:18 pm

Also this...
Freshwater Polyp Hydra Genome Sequenced: Survey Finds Genes Linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 150922.htm

Skipjack · Post by **Skipjack** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:40 pm

Me and I am sure a lot of men in this world, cant wait until they can use gene therapy, or stem cells to grow back hair (I know that growing new hair with stem cells has already been done in the mouse model).
Teeth are cool too

MSimon · Post by **MSimon** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:17 pm

Skipjack wrote:Me and I am sure a lot of men in this world, cant wait until they can use gene therapy, or stem cells to grow back hair (I know that growing new hair with stem cells has already been done in the mouse model).
Teeth are cool too :)

I'm 65 and have a full head of hair. In the 70s and 80s I used to shave it all off every three months to lower maintenance and for other rather idiosyncratic reasons. Now it just won't go away and I don't shave it any more.

Life ain't fair.

CaptainBeowulf · Post by **CaptainBeowulf** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:07 am

I actually don't find this too surprising. Our ancient proto-mammalian ancestors probably developed scarring in order to quickly cover a wound to prevent infection. In other words, infection was a greater problem than a missing digit or limb. Also, running around on dry land means that a growing stump is more likely to dry out and become damaged than it is in something aquatic, like a Salamander. The regeneration mechanism is probably hidden in the genetic code somewhere waiting to be switched back on. Looks like biotech is well on the way to finding it.

MSimon · Post by **MSimon** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:56 am

I find my wounds heal faster (as in OK vs almost not at all) If I can keep them wet.

Diogenes · Post by **Diogenes** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:05 am

I saw this article earlier. If I remember correctly, the theory is that a scar is better than cancer. Apparently Mammals have had a long ongoing war with DNA damage turning into cancer. While it might be possible to survive without a limb, it is definitely not possible to survive with cancer.

Apparently it is a give up the one capability to prevent the other malady sort of thing.

On a similar subject, DARPA (I think) has been funding for years a program to regrow lost fingers (which apparently has some stunning successes.) with the hopes of eventually growing back lost limbs. If you aren't familiar with it, google it. It's worth a read.