LIFESCI 2A03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: In Situ Hybridization, Mitosis, Null Hypothesis
Document Summary
Molecular basis of regeneration planarians as a model system. Smedwi-2 is a piwi-like-protein that regulate planarian stem cells. The sanchez lab is studying neoblasts and the role that these cells play in regeneration. Researchers identify the neoblast cells by: morphology of the cells, brdu labeling, antibody to histone h3. Eliminate the cells and see if the markers are still present in order to demonstrate that these markers are specific to neoblasts. Neoblasts are required for regeneration: blastema formation and regeneration of the pharynx in the irradiated posterior fragments. 3 days after amputation: a-c dorsal view of the wound region of the regeneration fragment, a un-irradiated fragment; blastema formation. Head region un-irradiated animal; normal typical blastema formation, anterior to eye spots; original pigmented cells and pigmented cells: b, c irradiated fragment; no blastema. Regional irradiation focused irradiation at place of amputation; no normal blastema formation. Whole irradiation irradiation all over; no normal blastema formation: smedwi-2 gene required for regenerative process.