Regeneration and Regenerative Medicine
Regeneration is the process by which a damaged or missing organ part grows back from the remaining tissue. It is an important part of animal life, and it can be studied by scientists in the field of regenerative medicine.
Regenerative medicine is a branch of science that studies the molecular, cellular and developmental processes that control regeneration. Scientists hope to use this knowledge to develop therapies that will stimulate functional regeneration in the body.
Biological Regeneration
All living organisms have the potential to regenerate. Plants, for example, can grow new leaves after they're cut off from their roots. Some animals, such as jellyfish and hydra, can regenerate entire bodies after being cut in half. The Mexican salamander, for instance, can rebuild its bones and muscles to create an entirely new limb, while the axolotl can reconstruct almost any other part of its body.
The word regeneration comes from the Greek words regenerative, which means "to restore," and mater, which refers to the matter of the body. Historically, philosophers, naturalists and biologists have viewed physiological cell renewal as regeneration.
It is an important process that can occur after a traumatic injury, such as a broken bone. In fact, it is a crucial factor in the healing of most injuries.
Different organisms have different ways of regenerating, but the most efficient way is for the body to reorganize itself, a process known as morphallaxis. In simpler organisms, such as plants and coelenterates, regeneration is a reorganization of the surrounding tissues.
Higher animals, such as vertebrates and some insects, may regenerate parts by producing specialized cells at the site of the wound. These cells are called blastema.
Although regeneration occurs in many species, the exact mechanisms that determine whether an animal can or cannot regenerate are not well understood. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the basic regenerative process because it will help scientists design effective treatments for humans with a variety of diseases.
Regeneration is an evolutionary trait that is common among all species with regenerative potential.
Complexity and Effects of Regeneration
Some organisms, such as worms and certain types of insects, have the ability to regenerate their entire bodies after being cut in half. The hydra, for example, can form two whole bodies after being cut in half.
This process is very complex and requires a lot of energy to carry out. In some cases, it can also be incredibly painful and traumatic.
The regeneration process can cause a large change in the physical appearance and personality of an organism. For example, in the TV series Doctor Who, the Tenth Doctor's regeneration had him incapacitated for hours, while the Sixth Doctor became paranoid and both Twelfth and Eighth Doctors suffered bouts of amnesia.
Regeneration can also cause a significant change in the economic and social makeup of an area. This can happen through population displacement and urban regeneration projects that can reshape an area's demographics.
Often, these changes will be viewed negatively by some people. For example, some people argue that redevelopment of urban areas can strip places of their unique and historic character.
