• Question: what type of genes can regrow human parts

    Asked by MyLittlePonyFan2016 to John, Laura, Luke, Rob, Ruth on 19 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Luke Williams

      Luke Williams answered on 19 Jun 2016:

      I had a scout around and found this website:

      https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160406140405.htm

      TREEs they have been named, or tissue regeneration enhancer elements. They could have come up with something a touch less longwinded, but TREEs it is, I guess.

      Importantly, these TREEs are the genes which are the on/off switches for regeneration. Nearby genes are the actual ones with the ability to regenerate something. Interestingly that website indicates that some genes which have regeneration abilities are also found in humans. This would imply that we lack the ability to turn them on, i.e. the other group of genes. Interesting stuff!

    • Photo: Laura Finney

      Laura Finney answered on 20 Jun 2016:

      Luke I wasn’t sure what the answer was but what are TREE genes? I assume we aren’t talking about the plant ?

Comments

  • Photo: Luke

    Luke commented on :

    You know scientists and naming things! Tissue Regeneration Enhancer Element or TREE! I think they are referring to the control genes which turn on/off the regeneration abilities of the “real” genes that do the work.