Stem Cells and the End of Aging
This lecture, by Dr. Nadia Rosenthal, discusses
the role of stem cells in the regeneration and repair of tissues,
and their possible medicinal application through the harnessing of
their regenerative properties.
HHMI description:
Human tissues vary in their ability to heal and regenerate. The
nervous system has weak powers of regeneration, while the skin is
quick to make new cells for repair. Mammalian muscle cells are
intermediate in their ability to regenerate. Human muscle can
regenerate in response to minor wounds and normal wear and tear, but
humans will not grow a new bicep, for example, in response to
amputation. The heart is the most important muscle in the body and
yet has feeble regenerative capabilities. Research into the
wholesale production of new replacement organs and limbs is in its
infancy, but research into enhancing normal levels of regeneration
is progressing rapidly. Recent discoveries concerning the location
and characteristics of adult stem cells and the signals that wounded
tissue produces to activate stem cells have increased our
understanding of regeneration. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)
is an example of an important stem cell communication molecule. If
the activity of the growth factor is experimentally enhanced, muscle
regeneration improves.