Changes in Bioelectric Signals Trigger Formation of New Organs
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 18:00
in Biology & Nature
For the first time, biologists have altered natural bioelectrical signals among cells to directly specify the type of new organ to be created at a particular location within a vertebrate organism. Using genetic manipulation of membrane voltage in Xenopus (frog) embryos, Tufts University scientists were able to cause tadpoles to grow eyes outside of the head area.