• Question: Do you think scientists can find out about regeneration in humans? if so, how long do you think it will take?

    Asked by lewis w to Common starfish on 10 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Common Starfish

      Common Starfish answered on 10 Nov 2017:

      It is possible. But it is easier to find the secret about the regeneration of starfish, which can provide insight into that of the human.

Comments

  • Photo: Common starfish

    Common starfish commented on :

    The key thing will be to discover which proteins in starfish play a key role in enabling regeneration of arms. It is already known from work done in the past that the nervous system has a key role in regeneration. If we can find out which molecules in the starfish nervous system promote regeneration, we can then go and find related molecules in humans. The timescale for would be over the next 10 years or so. (Maurice Elphick)