Axolotl from Mexico City offers clues to human regenerative medicine
Say hello to the axolotl, a rare amphibian from Mexico City that can regrow limbs, heart tissue, and even parts of its brain.
Scientists are fascinated by its healing abilities and hope they could inspire new treatments for humans.
SP8 and SP6 control limb regeneration
Researchers found two genes, SP8 and SP6, are key to limb regeneration in the axolotl.
When SP8 was removed, axolotls could no longer properly regrow limb bones, and the result was mirrored in mice missing the same genes,
but zebrafish-derived gene therapy partially restored digit regeneration in mice.
This suggests humans might have untapped regenerative potential too.
Conservationists use environmental DNA in Xochimilco
Sadly, wild axolotls have almost disappeared due to pollution and habitat loss in Lake Xochimilco.
Conservationists in Mexico are building special canals and using environmental DNA to track their numbers, hoping these amazing creatures don't vanish for good.