Scientists have just announced that they have sequenced the genome of the axolotl! Unlike humans, these small amphibians have the unique ability to regenerate injured limbs and organs. So far, researchers have learned that developmental genes are under constraint, and that regeneration properties are possibly due to species-restricted genes. The ultimate significance is that work done to understand the genomic mechanisms underlying axolotl regenerative properties may just provide us insight into healing human injuries. All hail the Mexican salamander!
See here for the Nature article and here for the IFL pop-science article.
- Elizabeth (Liz) Tapanes
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