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Identifying the Key Genes for Regeneration

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Cell Biology
  • Stem Cells
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Reproduction & Development

Resource Type

  • Videos
  • Scientists at Work

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege

Duration

00:09:55
Saved By
16 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This video describes how scientists silence different genes in regenerating planaria to study the process of regeneration at the molecular level.

Planaria have an amazing ability to regenerate lost or damaged tissues. Identifying the key molecules involved in this process may offer clues into how regeneration works in many species, including humans. HHMI investigator Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado and postdoctoral fellow Alice Accorsi, both at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, describe how they use RNA-mediated genetic interference (RNAi) to silence two genes potentially involved in planarian regeneration: beta-catenin and APC. They find that animals with a silenced beta-catenin gene regenerate two heads, while animals with a silenced APC gene regenerate two tails! This indicates that these two genes are involved in controlling regeneration. Using these tools to study other genes will allow researchers to understand the molecular pathways involved in this important process.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

Key Terms

APC, beta catenin, cell fate, differentiation, planaria, RNA interference, stem cell

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

Video files meet criteria. Spanish files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 11.09.17
Date Updated 06.15.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.A, HS-LS1.B, HS-LS3.A

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1, IST-2, IST-3

IB Biology (2016)

1.1, 3.5

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC4

Materials

HD (M4V) 368 MB
HD (WMV) 312 MB
SD (M4V) 83 MB
SD (WMV) 84 MB
Spanish Dub (Español) (MP4) 159 MB
Transcript - Español (PDF) 246 KB

Use This Resource With

Activity Resource
Investigating Planarian Behavior and Regeneration
Interactive Media Resource
Interactive Video Builder

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Investigating Planarian Behavior and Regeneration
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Why Two Heads?
Image of a two-headed planarian from the video
Scientists at Work
Planarian Regeneration and Stem Cells

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Image of a pipet drawing up a planarian
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