title: Caenorhabditis elegans in regenerative medicine: a simple model for a complex discipline.
abstract: Stem cell research is a major focus of regenerative medicine, which amalgamates diverse disciplines ranging from developmental cell biology to chemical and genetic therapy. Although embryonic stem cells have provided the foundation of stem cell therapy, they offer an in vitro study system that might not provide the best insight into mechanisms and behaviour of cells within living organisms. Caenorhabditis elegans is a well defined model organism with highly conserved cell development and signalling processes that specify cell fate. Its genetic amenability coupled with its chemical screening applicability make the nematode well suited as an in vivo system in which regenerative therapy and stem cell processes can be explored. Here, we describe some of the major advances in stem cell research from the worm's perspective.
authors: King's College London, School of Biomedical Sciences, Analytical and Environmental Sciences Division, London SE1 9NH, UK; Kinǵs College London, School of Biomedical Sciences, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment & Health, London, SE1 9NH, UK.
authors: Layla
authors: L
authors: Aitlhadj
authors: King's College London, School of Biomedical Sciences, Analytical and Environmental Sciences Division, London SE1 9NH, UK; Kinǵs College London, School of Biomedical Sciences, MRC-PHE Centre for Environment & Health, London, SE1 9NH, UK. Electronic address: stephen.sturzenbaum@kcl.ac.uk.
authors: Stephen R
authors: SR
authors: Stürzenbaum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology