Scientists Demonstrate Mammalian Tissue Regeneration

telomerewhythere writes "A quest that began over a decade ago with a chance observation has reached a milestone: the identification of a gene that may regulate regeneration in mammals. The absence of this single gene, called p21, confers a healing potential in mice long thought to have been lost through evolution and reserved for creatures like flatworms, sponges, and some species of salamander. 'Unlike typical mammals, which heal wounds by forming a scar, these mice begin by forming a blastema, a structure associated with rapid cell growth and de-differentiation as seen in amphibians. According to the Wistar researchers, the loss of p21 causes the cells of these mice to behave more like embryonic stem cells than adult mammalian cells, and their findings provide solid evidence to link tissue regeneration to the control of cell division. "Much like a newt that has lost a limb, these mice will replace missing or damaged tissue with healthy tissue that lacks any sign of scarring," said the project's lead scientist.' Here is the academic paper for those with PNAS access."

So

[jimbobborg]

We can all be Wolverine now? Cool!

Now I can finally start my restaurant...

[Culture20]

Now I can finally start my restaurant (which specializes in mouse-tail delicacies) without PETA breathing down my neck. "Look: it's growing back!" Mouse-tail soup anyone?

Re:So

[Monkeedude1212]

Minus the Claws. And the Adamantite interior. And the Rugged good looks - in your case, anyways.

Degeneration

[tedgyz]

You know this discussion will degenerate into how this can be applied to growing a longer penis.

Re:Degeneration

[protodevilin]

Then I hope it doesn't involve having to amputate the penis first.

Re:Now I can finally start my restaurant...

[Bakkster]

"Waiter, there's a blastema in my soup."

Re:It will be interesting to see...

[AioKits]

Remember, you are not a newt.

I got better...

Re:So

[K. S. Kyosuke]

And be wary that this rather serious matter may take a tumorous twist.

Re:So

[Jurily]

And the Adamantite interior.

You missed an expansion pack. He upgraded to Saronite when he reached 80.

Re:Be careful when fooling Mother Nature

[lawpoop]

Darwinism is cruel... Nature does things for a reason.

Narture wants to be anthropomorphized ;)

It nature is so cruel and barbaric, then for what reason did it evolve human beings who feel sympathy, empathy, are able to learn, and practice healing arts?

PETA.......

[axor1337]

People Eating Tasty Animals But then as the Nugent says "You have to Kill it, before you Grill it."

Re:Now I can finally start my restaurant...

[Hatta]

I think instead that it was cats who domesticated humans.

Re:So

[Syberz]

I have a feeling you should know something about the subject before weighing in.

You sir are hanging out on the wrong internets.

I have access to a PNAS...

[zero_out]

Here is the academic paper for those with PNAS access.

I have access to a PNAS. Sometimes I let my wife have access to it, too.

Re:caveat

[rockNme2349]

there are logistical, economic and public relations issues with trying to keep hundreds of chimpanzees in order to punch holes in their ears.

Ahh, high school...

Re:So

[natehoy]

I heard you were looking for some, so I went back in time and destroyed them all on this planet.

Lovingly yours,
  - The Master

Re:PETA.......

[natehoy]

Just remember, there's room for all of God's creatures... right there, next to the mashed potatoes.

Re:So

[Luyseyal]

There's an analogy with software development in there somewhere, if I could just flesh it out.

Oh, I've got it. Managers will choose the quick patch over the proper fix every time due to competitive pressure.

Where are my free internets?
-l

Re:So

[Anonymous Coward]

Not only that, but consider the anti-aging possibilities:

1. Get old
2. Sequentially, & repeat:
      a. Amputate old body segments
      b. Scream like a motherfucker
      c. Regenerate yer parts with that "factory fresh" smell
3. ???
4. Profit!

Don't worry about your brain, you can do one hemisphere at a time. And remember, corporate ownership of popular culture means all your important memories are already stored in the cloud!

Re:Degeneration

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't see why it should. Just have the doctor cause a new one to grow there next to the one you already have. Then, when the new one is in place, have tubing moved over, and the old one removed. Or just keep both, whatever strikes your fancy.

Damn I can't believe I just spent that much time thinking that through... I'm glad I thought to post as AC.

Re:caveat

[ArbitraryDescriptor]

You could probably keep 10+ mice, quite comfortably, in the volume of space an adult pig takes up. I could probably keep 100 caged mice in my office, with ample room for them to run around and live relatively normal mouse-lives; whereas a single pig would probably be tearing this place up and demanding half* its body weight in food everyday. It would be ridiculous.

No, the logical solution here is to find out which gene we need to turn off to make mice taste like pork and just go from there.

This post paid for by Monsanto and a grant from the Moreau Foundation.
Macon: It ain't just a city in Georgia

*IANAPF

Re:So

[Stephen Tennant]

I'm sure many a Slashdot reader will receive an upgrade in the looks department when they are able to heal acne scars. Now excuse me while I prepare for troll modding from butthurt pizzaface.

Re:Now I can finally start my restaurant...

[HornWumpus]

The cat the lives in my house has owners.

My dogs.

I feed the 'orange devil' though.

The girl Lab thinks the little fucker is her baby. So does the cat. Lets her lick him clean like a new mama dog.

The cat and the German shepherd play a game with the other neighborhood cats. The cat picks a fight then 'runs like a Frenchman' back to my yard where the dog pounces on the neighbor cat. Repeat.

Might be a problem if he didn't knows cats are way more fun to chase then they are to catch.