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Scientists Discover the Key to Axolotls’ Ability to Regenerate Limbs (www.wired.com)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/science@lemmy.world
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"In a study published in Nature Communications, the researchers reveal an elegant molecular mechanism that acts like a GPS coordinate system for regenerating cells.... the puzzle was how the cells in the regenerating limb-stump controlled their levels so precisely to know exactly where they were on the axis from shoulder to hand.”

The Nature paper:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59497-5

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[–] 43 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

Woah, fascinating. Of course very far out, but manipulating and regenerating human limbs in a similar way would be serious sci-fi stuff. Just impressive

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  • [–] 19 points 1 year ago (6 children)

    Not that I would be an expert, but limbs start forming so early on in the womb, that that will probably be a very difficult thing to do. Nevertheless, never say never.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    How it could work in a future: they pre-grow limbs in labs for a few months/yearst, then when somebody needs it, they attach one that matches closely. After that, you get the treatment and the limb continues growing until it reaches the size needed.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Imagine running around with a child arm for a year or so.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago

    Now's a good time to point out that the first organ transplant happened in the 1950s, and it hasn't been even 80 years since, meaning there are not only people alive who remember a time when that didn't exist, but also there are surgeons who may only be in their early 40s that became transplant surgeons while the first ever transplant surgeon was still alive, and may have even gotten tutelage from him.

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