THE SECRETS OF GECKO TAILS COULD HELP HEAL HUMAN SPINE INJURIES
THEY CAN SPROUT NEW TAILS IN THE SPAN OF A MONTH.
By Claire Maldarelli
November 01, 2017
Geckos are able to regrow their tails by activating a group of stem cells when the tail is lost.
Humans tend to think of themselves as the superior species. But the way we heal our bodies is extremely basic: We can (usually) mend our bones pretty well, but if we lose a limb or damage our spinal cords we are pretty much stuck. Geckos are far superior in this arena. When they lose their tails, they just grow new ones. No big deal. Now, researchers have a better understanding of what cells make this regeneration process possible. They think this information could help us find better ways for humans to heal themselves.
Geckos aren’t alone in their ability to regenerate. Zebrafish can completely regrow lost pieces of their hearts and sections of their spinal cords, and salamanders can replace any lost limb or chunk of body organ.
“To many scientists, these are the ultimate forms of regenerating species,” says Matthew Vickaryous, a developmental biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
But there’s something about the leopard gecko that attracted Vickaryous. First, they house much of their spinal cords within their tails. Second, when these geckos encounters a predator, the lizards will self detach their tails without employing much effort, making them incredibly easy to study. “We can just give them a firm pinch at the tail and it basically falls off,” he says. Many other regenerative species are more reluctant to surrender their limbs, making it difficult to study their skills as smoothly.
Geckos are able to regrow their tails by activating a group of stem cells when the tail is lost.
Humans tend to think of themselves as the superior species. But the way we heal our bodies is extremely basic: We can (usually) mend our bones pretty well, but if we lose a limb or damage our spinal cords we are pretty much stuck. Geckos are far superior in this arena. When they lose their tails, they just grow new ones. No big deal. Now, researchers have a better understanding of what cells make this regeneration process possible. They think this information could help us find better ways for humans to heal themselves.
Geckos aren’t alone in their ability to regenerate. Zebrafish can completely regrow lost pieces of their hearts and sections of their spinal cords, and salamanders can replace any lost limb or chunk of body organ.
“To many scientists, these are the ultimate forms of regenerating species,” says Matthew Vickaryous, a developmental biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
But there’s something about the leopard gecko that attracted Vickaryous. First, they house much of their spinal cords within their tails. Second, when these geckos encounters a predator, the lizards will self detach their tails without employing much effort, making them incredibly easy to study. “We can just give them a firm pinch at the tail and it basically falls off,” he says. Many other regenerative species are more reluctant to surrender their limbs, making it difficult to study their skills as smoothly.
THEY CAN SPROUT NEW TAILS IN THE SPAN OF A MONTH.
By Claire Maldarelli
November 01, 2017
Geckos are able to regrow their tails by activating a group of stem cells when the tail is lost.
Humans tend to think of themselves as the superior species. But the way we heal our bodies is extremely basic: We can (usually) mend our bones pretty well, but if we lose a limb or damage our spinal cords we are pretty much stuck. Geckos are far superior in this arena. When they lose their tails, they just grow new ones. No big deal. Now, researchers have a better understanding of what cells make this regeneration process possible. They think this information could help us find better ways for humans to heal themselves.
Geckos aren’t alone in their ability to regenerate. Zebrafish can completely regrow lost pieces of their hearts and sections of their spinal cords, and salamanders can replace any lost limb or chunk of body organ.
“To many scientists, these are the ultimate forms of regenerating species,” says Matthew Vickaryous, a developmental biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
But there’s something about the leopard gecko that attracted Vickaryous. First, they house much of their spinal cords within their tails. Second, when these geckos encounters a predator, the lizards will self detach their tails without employing much effort, making them incredibly easy to study. “We can just give them a firm pinch at the tail and it basically falls off,” he says. Many other regenerative species are more reluctant to surrender their limbs, making it difficult to study their skills as smoothly.
Geckos are able to regrow their tails by activating a group of stem cells when the tail is lost.
Humans tend to think of themselves as the superior species. But the way we heal our bodies is extremely basic: We can (usually) mend our bones pretty well, but if we lose a limb or damage our spinal cords we are pretty much stuck. Geckos are far superior in this arena. When they lose their tails, they just grow new ones. No big deal. Now, researchers have a better understanding of what cells make this regeneration process possible. They think this information could help us find better ways for humans to heal themselves.
Geckos aren’t alone in their ability to regenerate. Zebrafish can completely regrow lost pieces of their hearts and sections of their spinal cords, and salamanders can replace any lost limb or chunk of body organ.
“To many scientists, these are the ultimate forms of regenerating species,” says Matthew Vickaryous, a developmental biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada.
But there’s something about the leopard gecko that attracted Vickaryous. First, they house much of their spinal cords within their tails. Second, when these geckos encounters a predator, the lizards will self detach their tails without employing much effort, making them incredibly easy to study. “We can just give them a firm pinch at the tail and it basically falls off,” he says. Many other regenerative species are more reluctant to surrender their limbs, making it difficult to study their skills as smoothly.
