It is still not entirely clear how the stem cells regenerate specific organs. These cells are distributed throughout the body and, when part of the worm has been amputated, they are activated to reform the tissues that have been removed ( Wagner et al., 2011). Regeneration in planarians depends on the presence of stem cells called neoblasts. ![]() In recent years this system has been rediscovered as an experimental model for probing how and why tissues regenerate, with the hope that this will help us to improve tissue repair in our own bodies. In a manner reminiscent of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, chopping one worm into little pieces will result in a dish full of tiny worms regenerated from the fragments in just a few days. ![]() Planarian flatworms are well known for their amazing regenerative capacity.
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