Tanaka expands on her work on signaling in axolotl limb regeneration. She explains how her lab used the technique of expression cloning to identify several factors required to trigger the cell migration and proliferation required for regeneration. Tanaka was also curious about what signals differentiate a wound from an amputation. It was known that regeneration required the presence of nerves as well as the interaction of anterior and posterior limb tissue. Tanaka’s lab was able to show that the expression of the signaling molecules SHH, on the posterior side, and FGF8, on the anterior side, of an amputated limb were enough to sustain regeneration. Identification of these signaling molecules has advanced our understanding of limb regeneration in vertebrates.
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Axolotl Limb Regeneration
Why can a salamander regenerate a limb after amputation while humans can’t? Elly Tanaka is studying axolotl limb regeneration to understand the molecular basis for this amazing process. (Talk recorded in February 2018)
- Part 1: Axolotl Limb RegenerationAudience:
- Student
- Researcher
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 27:57 - Part 2: Signaling Molecules in Limb RegenerationAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 31:16