The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration
Planarian flatworms are an exception among bilaterians in that they possess a large pool of adult stem cells that enables them to promptly regenerate any part of their body, including the brain. Although known for two centuries for their remarkable regenerative capabilities, planarians have only rec...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The Company of Biologists
2011-01-01
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| Series: | Disease Models & Mechanisms |
| Online Access: | http://dmm.biologists.org/content/4/1/12 |
| _version_ | 1818434706246467584 |
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| author | Luca Gentile Francesc Cebrià Kerstin Bartscherer |
| author_facet | Luca Gentile Francesc Cebrià Kerstin Bartscherer |
| author_sort | Luca Gentile |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Planarian flatworms are an exception among bilaterians in that they possess a large pool of adult stem cells that enables them to promptly regenerate any part of their body, including the brain. Although known for two centuries for their remarkable regenerative capabilities, planarians have only recently emerged as an attractive model for studying regeneration and stem cell biology. This revival is due in part to the availability of a sequenced genome and the development of new technologies, such as RNA interference and next-generation sequencing, which facilitate studies of planarian regeneration at the molecular level. Here, we highlight why planarians are an exciting tool in the study of regeneration and its underlying stem cell biology in vivo, and discuss the potential promises and current limitations of this model organism for stem cell research and regenerative medicine. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:41:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5048f0badc294ec392f02cd55db4f724 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1754-8403 1754-8411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:41:15Z |
| publishDate | 2011-01-01 |
| publisher | The Company of Biologists |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Disease Models & Mechanisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-5048f0badc294ec392f02cd55db4f7242022-12-21T22:54:19ZengThe Company of BiologistsDisease Models & Mechanisms1754-84031754-84112011-01-0141121910.1242/dmm.006692006692The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regenerationLuca GentileFrancesc CebriàKerstin BartschererPlanarian flatworms are an exception among bilaterians in that they possess a large pool of adult stem cells that enables them to promptly regenerate any part of their body, including the brain. Although known for two centuries for their remarkable regenerative capabilities, planarians have only recently emerged as an attractive model for studying regeneration and stem cell biology. This revival is due in part to the availability of a sequenced genome and the development of new technologies, such as RNA interference and next-generation sequencing, which facilitate studies of planarian regeneration at the molecular level. Here, we highlight why planarians are an exciting tool in the study of regeneration and its underlying stem cell biology in vivo, and discuss the potential promises and current limitations of this model organism for stem cell research and regenerative medicine.http://dmm.biologists.org/content/4/1/12 |
| spellingShingle | Luca Gentile Francesc Cebrià Kerstin Bartscherer The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration Disease Models & Mechanisms |
| title | The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration |
| title_full | The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration |
| title_fullStr | The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration |
| title_full_unstemmed | The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration |
| title_short | The planarian flatworm: an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration |
| title_sort | planarian flatworm an in vivo model for stem cell biology and nervous system regeneration |
| url | http://dmm.biologists.org/content/4/1/12 |
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