Tiny salamander’s huge genome may har... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,005 members66,632 posts

Tiny salamander’s huge genome may harbor the secrets of regeneration.

2greys profile image
4 Replies

The type of salamander called axolotl, with its frilly gills and widely spaced eyes, looks like an alien and has other-worldly powers of regeneration. Lose a limb, part of the heart or even a large portion of its brain? No problem: They grow back.

“It regenerates almost anything after almost any injury that doesn’t kill it,” said Parker Flowers, postdoctoral associate in the lab of Craig Crews, the John C. Malone Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and professor of chemistry and pharmacology.

If scientists can find the genetic basis for the axolotl’s ability to regenerate, they might be able to find ways to restore damaged tissue in humans. But they have been thwarted in the attempt by another peculiarity of the axolotl — it has the largest genome of any animal yet sequenced, 10 times larger than that of humans.

news.yale.edu/2020/01/28/ti...

Written by
2greys profile image
2greys
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
4 Replies
RoadRunner44 profile image
RoadRunner44

Oh I find this fascinating 2greys. We have still, so much to learn and discover. Thanks for posting

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff

Fascinating. I wonder why it has such a huge genome. Is that why it has these regenerative abilities?

megshafer profile image
megshafer

So fascinating.....the world is moving into the 21st century....abit 20 years late!

Take care 2greys....stay well.

HungryHufflepuff profile image
HungryHufflepuff

I meant to say a few years ago the British Heart Foundation had the zebra fish as a symbol for one of its campaigns because it can repair its own heart. The BHF were hoping to find out how it did that and try to recreate that in people. I don't know if that's still something that's being researched 🐠

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Flu virus with 'pandemic potential' found in China.

A new strain of flu that has the potential to become a pandemic has been identified in China by...

Cordyceps and COPD or Magic Mushrooms and the Breathless Wonder

I've been researching Cordyceps, a type of mushroom found in Tibet, and its effect on COPD. The...

Learning from the bears.

Grizzly bears spend many months in hibernation, but their muscles do not suffer from the lack of...

Surely May Is The Very Best Month Of The Year...

Haven't put the Very Expensive Fablon on the kitchen shelves yet...Himself was puttering about the...

Is anyone "young" (under 30 )and grew up or is diagnosed with bronchiectasis or BOOP and surviving on low function? I'd like to connect :)

So I was diagnosed with this when I got sick in the hospital at age 3, and now I'm 21 and a college...