Thursday, September 29, 2005

Wired News: Mighty Mice Regrow Organs

Genetically altered mice discovered accidentally at the Wistar Institute in Pennsylvania have the seemingly miraculous ability to regenerate like a salamander, and even regrow vital organs.

Researchers systematically amputated digits and damaged various organs of the mice, including the heart, liver and brain, most of which grew back.

After Wistar Institute researchers pierced the ear of a genetically altered mouse (bottom row), the stunned scientists noted that the hole quickly healed without a trace of a scar. The healing progression of a normal mouse is shown in the top row.

The results stunned scientists because if such regeneration is possible in this mammal, it might also be possible in humans.

The researchers also made a remarkable second discovery: When cells from the regenerative mice were injected into normal mice, the normal mice adopted the ability to regenerate. And when the special mice bred with normal mice, their offspring inherited souped-up regeneration capabilities

// posted by Unknown @ 7:48 a.m.
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