Animal study reveals potential insight into human cell regeneration

The biological processes used by animals to re-grow hair and feathers could be leveraged as a means of regenerating fingers and toes among humans.

A team from the University of Southern California have published a review article that examines dozens of papers on cell regeneration, both in terms of normal processes occurring during an animal's life and the re-growth that occurs following an injury.

They noted that changes to hair coatings among certain animals in response to ageing or seasonal conditions seem to be caused by biological and environmental cues, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

It is acknownledged that stem cells play a key role in the process, with the current gaps in knowledge offering possible clues as to how more complicated physical structures could be regenerated in a controlled manner.

The study authors said: "Using the episodic regeneration of skin appendages as a clear readout, we have the opportunity to understand and modulate the behaviour of adult stem cells and organ regeneration at a level heretofore unknown."

Earlier this year, scientists at the University of Illinois at Chicago studied the biology of naked mole-rats to gain insight into how their brains are able to survive oxygen deprivation, which could have applications for heart attack patients.