Research into the regenerative powers of worms could help humans live longer and even healthier lives. Despite modern medicine and improved living conditions, time still takes its toll on our body. But what if we could regenerate, like worms do?
Flatworms and earthworms can regrow large parts of their body. Roundworms may hold the secret to counteracting neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and muscular dystrophy.
An article in Horizons, The EU Research and Innovation Magazine, describes a scientific project where researchers study the flatworm Macrostomum lignano. It was observed that the flatworms not only had a remarkable ability to regenerate, but that they tended to live longer after repeated amputations. The regeneration process seemed to rejuvenate them.
Worms may also hold lessons about how to improve quality of life. A separate research project is using nematodes to investigate how they regenerate brain and nerve tissues. Nematodes have a similar number of genes to humans – about 20,000 – and over half of them have human equivalents. Dr Baris Tursun and his team in Germany located 160 genes that block cells from reprogramming. Turning off these genes could allow cells to repair damage.
These studies are in their early stages, but these little worms can help us to find a mechanism for regrowth and rejuvenation that we can apply to human cells.
Incidentally, Charles Darwin loved earthworms. He considered them one of the most important contributors to the history of the world, since they help with decomposition and soil building. And now, they may play a part in our future, on a very personal level.
A special thanks to Baris Tursun, the University of Hamburg, for reviewing today's episode.
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