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...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Gentile, L., Cebrià Sánchez, Francesc, Bartscherer, Kerstin
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2011
País:España
Recursos:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/34480
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/34480
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Planària (Gènere)
Cèl·lules mare
Regeneració (Biologia)
Regeneració del sistema nerviós
Planaria (Genus)
Stem cells
Regeneration (Biology)
Nervous system regeneration
Descrição
Resumo: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.