Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about aging and healing by studying Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, a tiny sea creature related to jellyfish and corals.
This organism can regenerate its entire body from just its mouth, providing valuable insights into the connection between healing and aging processes.Researchers found that as Hydractinia begins to regenerate, it exhibits a molecular signature associated with senescence, typically linked to aging.
Surprisingly, these senescent cells play a crucial role in regeneration by triggering the development of new stem cells. The animal then expels these aging cells through its mouth, avoiding their harmful effects.This study challenges our understanding of senescence in humans and suggests that regeneration may have been the original function of senescence in early animals. The findings could potentially advance regenerative medicine and our comprehension of age-related diseases, offering new perspectives on human biology and evolution.
