All animals can heal, and most have the ability to regenerate some of their tissues and body parts. The great diversity of regenerative capabilities among animals is striking—from the feeble ability of humans to the remarkable capacity of some worms to re-form an entire body from a small clump of cells. Are there common cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying all regeneration? Is there anything to be learned about human regeneration by studying simpler life forms?
Also featured on the HHMI DVD Potent Biology: Stem Cells, Cloning, and Regeneration, available free from HHMI.
