Regeneration Shift

Mainly found in an ancient lake in Mexico, axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) have the ability to regenerate after injury. Research groups investigate this from different angles – here one team studies regenerating after amputation. They find that growth of cells and tissues accelerates in the emerging 'tiny limb' (top row), until it reaches a similar size to the slower-growing un-amputated limb (bottom). The growth rate and final size are related to the number of nerves serving the growing tissue. Elsewhere, scientists are studying regenerating axolotl brains. Using spatial transcriptomics they find injury prompts a 'reset' in some stem cells, back to a state similar to those found during development. Following a similar developmental pattern, the cells becoming neurons that connect the regrown tissue to nearby brain areas. Whether probing tissues or shifting focus to genes, future axolotl studies may reveal common ground with our ancient ancestor, guiding new approaches in regenerative medicine.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

Website

• Image from work on limb regeneration by Kaylee M Wells and colleagues, Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
• Work on brain regeneration by Katharina Lust, Ashley Maynard, Tomás Gomes and colleagues, ETH Zürich, Switzerland and Vienna Biocenter, Austria
• Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
• Publications linked in the text