The Axolotl which is native to Central America has amazing healing powers where it can regrow lost limbs, organs, along with its spinal cord, eyes and even parts of its brain. In fact, there is little it cannot do that does not impress scientists.
Inspired by this, researchers from around the world are building up an improved mapping of the salamander’s genome and DNA.
Axolotl
The Axolotl is also known as the Mexican Walking Fish and comes with four legs, a collar of fluffy type gills and a long tapered tail.
The colors of the Axolotl can range from gray-black, yellow-golden, pink, and a rather cute smiley face.
You would be forgiven if you thought it was alien in origin and came from another planet in the galaxy.
Aztec legends say originally it was a god who shape-shifted in order to avoid being sacrificed. Axolotls are native to the canals of Lake Xochimilco in the south of Mexico City where they are only found naturally in this location on the planet in the wild.
Unfortunately, these amazing creatures are facing extinction due to man-made pollution from the city that is upsetting their habitat. However, efforts are underway to clean up the canals of Lake Xochimilco by conservationists and to protect the Axolotl.
These super healing powers of the amphibians are found in plentiful supply though in captivity with their population thriving in scientific laboratories around the world.
Genome Sequencing
Researchers have now connected together the genome of the Axolotl in an advance breakthrough that could be revolutionary of regrowing lost limbs for humans. This puts us closer together in fully understanding how the salamander is able to have these powerful regenerative abilities.
The Axolot’s Genome is 10 times that of the human genome so it is no small task to map it out correctly.
The challenges of mapping out the genome of the salamander has prevented research in unlocking the Axolot’s mysteries in regeneration.
This new research is built off a previous study that I discussed in 2018 on the regeneration of human limbs and the salamander’s DNA.
In this new recent study, researchers have been edging closer to correctly assembling the creature’s genome.
Randal Voss a professor at the University of Kentucky Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center and is one of the writers of the paper for this study highlights:
“It’s hard to find a body part they can’t regenerate: the limbs, the tail, the spinal cord, the eye and in some species, the lens, even half of their brain has been shown to regenerate…”
Linkage Mapping
From the University of Kentucky, the team used a technique known as linkage mapping to more easily identify each sequence and put the genome of the axolotl in order.
The team mapped out greater than 100, 000 pieces of DNA that were put onto chromosomes. They say this is the largest genome that has been assembled.
If we have a complete genome that is correctly sequenced that could be used as a key in biomedical research that would rely on the amphibian for the future of human regeneration research.
The scientists state that until recently, it was not considered possible to ‘assemble a 30+GB genome.’ However, in this study, the team points out that it is possible with using cost-effective and accessible methods and opens a new chapter of regularly sequencing other creatures in nature with large genomes.
To prove that this technique of sequencing a genome is effective, they used data to target a gene responsible for defects of the heart in the creatures. So this can serve as a new way of modeling of human disease.
Limb Regeneration in Humans
People have the ability to regrow the skin and aspects of organs up to a point, but we no longer have the healing ability to regrow an entire limb or organ.
We can heal the skin up to a point but when it becomes heavily damaged such as with third-degree burns that it can not be restored to what was there before.
Notice I used the words ‘no longer have the healing ability’ above. This is because we do have these regeneration abilities to regrow lost limbs and body parts but it has been made dormant.
The key is understanding how to harness and awaken these regeneration mechanisms that are currently in hibernation.
So why do we no longer have these abilities? There have been many ideas put forward by scientists on why this is.
It could be due to the immune system that blocks limb regeneration by scarring the tissue to stop bleeding at the point of injury. Or perhaps due to humans large size makes the process of regrowth of a limb too energy-intensive.
This later argument is that nature would allow the body to adopt in surviving with one arm instead of two as the use of energy to regrow the lost arm is not energy efficient perhaps.
The paper published by the scientists on the Genome Research say this is the most comprehensive mapping on the axolotl yet. It could have major implications for new novel treatments in restoring a lost limb.
Regrowing a New Leg
While prosthetics have greatly helped when a person suffers limb loss and the technology has improved a lot, the Holy Grail would be to regrow the lost limb instead of 3D printing a human Limb.
Scientists have been researching the physiology of the Salamander for 150 years, but in the past 15 years, we have advanced more in medical science that in the past 50 years.
We might still be on a significant path from growing a new arm and leg for the patient but this research on the Axolotl’s genome being mapped using the technique described brings us more into focus on human regeneration.
Human Limb Regeneration might at first appear as science fiction but it is not. If the Mexican Salamander Axolotl can do this then why can’t we? Since we possess the mechanisms needed for regeneration but is turned off.
The creature will regrow bones, muscles, and nerves within just a few weeks of injury. The new limb is not only regenerated as easily as snapping your fingers but it is perfect as if the injury never happened.
The Axolotl is also the focus of spinal cord regeneration along with retinal tissues. This makes the Axolotl God-like in nature. So who knows, perhaps that legend I mentioned to you at the beginning is real after all, that it was a God at one point.
Its no mystery why scientists want to cultivate them in the lab for intense study.
The question is will humans be able to express those God-like regenerative abilities? I say we will, it is not a question of if but a debate of when.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below on what you thought of this article. If you desire to get notified right away about the latest articles published, be sure to sign to Limb Regrow in the subscription form below.
This is so exciting. I am 65 yrs old and I lost my left leg in 2015. I only have about a 6 or 8 inch stub, I have walked a little with the prosthetic, but they have never gotten it comfortable or feeling safe. I would so love to regrow my leg. I look forward to hearing about new developments.
Maybe we’re not that far: https://www.sciencealert.com/these-two-proteins-can-help-mice-partially-regrow-their-amputated-toes
Hi Yuri,
Thank you for sharing that article and very interesting research. I really think this work is going to explode very soon. I published a post here about those two proteins that are able to stimulate regeneration in mice.
Thanks,
Alexander.
Hi Judith,
Thank you for your comment! Indeed it is really exciting times as we move into a new era for humanity as we cross over the event horizon of the singularity. I am always cautious when making predictions as I think it is really bad to give false hope. However, I do think we will see amazing breakthroughs during our lifetimes with regeneration, that also includes new novel treatments for amputees and those needing an organ replacement.
The next 15 years (okay I will say the next 10!) we will see one of the biggest transformations and shakeups in science and technologies that we have probably ever experienced. What form that will take and if it means the ability to stimulate regrowing a new limb it is difficult to say. Again I do like to throw caution to the wind but it is true we are now entering really existing times.
Perhaps one of the most amazing research in limb regeneration recently is what Dr. Michael Levin has done with their bioreactor device in partial regrowth of frogs legs that would not normally regenerate.
If you have a look at the following article and this research is only the start. They will hit challenges and roadblocks but this is not going away.
Has Human Limb Regeneration Arrived? Scientists Regrow Frogs Legs Wearing A Bioreactor Device
This kind of research is truly incredible.
The dye has already been cast and a new medical canvas is being painted.
In the meantime, I do hope you are able to get better solutions for your prosthetic. I also replied to your separate comment about the problems and limitations you were experiencing with your prosthetic on the following page:
What Is Limb Regeneration?
I will be creating a new discussion forum soon and topics like the things you mentioned will be a wonderful contribution.
Do let me know if you have any further questions and I will be happy to help.
Thanks,
Alexander.
I believe dry fasting can accomplish this already. Electrotherapy would be the second runner up. Stem cell therapy is basically mocking fasting.
Yes, there has been much research into fasting and now it is being looked at as a form of therapy in the medical field. Studies have shown that when the body goes on a fast for several days the patient’s immune system starts to reboot itself with a flood of stem cells being generated from the brain with the body going into a state of regeneration.
It is believed that fasting or putting the body onto a special diet that emulates fasting can be used as a form of treatment for people having chemotherapy treatments. Since such treatments damage the patient’s immune system and this approach is a way of rebooting the body’s own computer anti-virus system.
Thank you for sharing these ideas and topics and it is something I will be looking into.
Thanks,
Alexander.