Flatworm Stem Cells Regenerate Through Contactless Communication
Stem cells in regenerating planarians don’t need their closest neighbors, overturning researchers’ understanding of the worms’ regenerative superpowers.
Flatworms’ extraordinary ability to regenerate depends on their stem cells’ surrounding environment. But, contrary to what scientists had thought, it’s not the cells in closest proximity to the stem cells that matter most.
A type of flatworms, called planarians, can regenerate whole organisms from pieces as small as one-279th of their body. Depending on how these worms were cut, they could even come back with multiple heads, indicating a precise control of their regenerative capacity.
A planarian flatworm can regenerate a whole organism from a small fragment of their body.
A good understanding of this worm's superpowers may someday help researchers develop regenerative therapies for humans.
Author's summary: Researchers study flatworms' regenerative abilities.