Chinese team regenerates mouse ear tissue via genetic switch
scmp.com —
Chinese scientists have successfully regenerated damaged outer ear tissue in mice by activating a dormant genetic pathway. This breakthrough could revolutionize regenerative medicine for mammals. Researchers discovered mice lack the ability to produce sufficient retinoic acid, a key regulator of cell development, due to a disabled genetic switch. Reactivating this switch allowed for ear tissue regeneration in the mice. The study, published in Science, highlights the potential to unlock regenerative capabilities in mammals, which currently have limited tissue repair abilities compared to some other animals.