Limb Regeneration Studied in Detail

Researchers have tried to comprehend the chain of events which help mammals regenerate a lost fingertip.

Humans and other mammals are able to completely regenerate when a fingertip is lost. It may take only a few months before which an amputated fingertip completely regenerates itself. The finding holds great promise for the development of future therapies to regenerate lost limbs.

Scientists Have Discovered Secret Behind Limb-regeneration in Zebrafish
cientists claim to have finally discovered the secret behind how some animals can regenerate amputated limbs or damaged organs, by studying the zebrafish.

Although we all know that fingernails keep growing, we do not understand the reason for this. During the study, researchers used genetically engineered mice to spot the biochemical events which happen after a fingertip amputation.

The research team found a group of stem cells in the nail matrix which inspire the restoration of an amputated nail. These stem cells are relying on proteins which belong to the "Wnt signaling network", and have a crucial part to play in tissue and hair regeneration. "When we blocked the Wnt-signaling pathway in mice with amputated fingertips, the nail and bone did not grow back as they normally would," researchers said.

Researchers found that manipulating the Mnt pathway led to stimulating bone and tissue regeneration beyond the fingertip. Fingertip regeneration was entirely dependant on Wnt signaling and this research can help evolve therapies for regenerating limbs.

Limb Re-growth Promise from Simple Chemical Cocktail
Researchers have found that a simple chemical cocktail can coax mouse muscle fibres to become the kinds of cells found in the first stages of a regenerating limb.

Source-Medindia

First Female Amputee to Climb Everest
Arunima Sinha is the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest, say expedition organizers.