From a Worm - lead Damage human organs in Future....

From worm, clues to regrowing organs

Planarian worms can regenerate body parts-including a whole head and brain-with the help of a gene called 'Smed-prep',which is essential for correctly regrowing body parts

London: Scientists have discovered the mechanism through which works regenerate their amputated body parts -- a research that could lead to regrowing of damaged human organs in future.

           The University of Nottingham research into how Planarian worms can re-grow body parts -- including a whole head and brain -- found a gene called 'Smedprop' which is essential for correctly regenerating body parts among the creatures. 

           The research gives hope that one day it would be possible to regenerate old or damaged human organs and tissues, the Daily Mail reported. "These amazing worms offer us the opportunity to observe tissue regeneration in a very simple animal that can regenerate itself to a remarkable extent and does so as a matter of course," said lead researcher Aziz Aboobaker, a Research Councils UK Fellow in the university's School of Biology.

      "Any fundamental advances in understanding from other animals can become  relevant to humans surprisingly quickly. If we know what is happening when tissues are regenerated under normal circumstances, we can begin to formulate how to replace damaged and diseased organs, tissues and cells in an organised and safe way following an injury caused by trauma or disease," he added.

       Smed-prp is necessary for the correct differentiation and location of cells tht make up a Planatian worm's head, as well as for defining where the head should be located.

       They found although the presence of Smed-prep is vital so the head and brain are in the right place, the worm stem cells can still be persuaded to form brain cells as a result of the action of other unrelated genes.