Flatworms, known as planarian worms, have long fascinated scientists because they have an extraordinary ability to regenerate. <\/p>\n
A planarian worm split lengthways or crossways will regenerate into two separate living worms. <\/p>\n
The researchers found that flatworms can continuously maintain the length of a crucial part of their DNA, known as telomeres, during regeneration. <\/p>\n
Dr Aboobaker's team studied two types of planarian \u2013 those that reproduce sexually, like humans, and those that reproduce asexually by simply dividing in two. <\/p>\n
Both types appear to regenerate indefinitely by growing new muscles, skin, guts and even entire brains again and again, but the asexual ones also renew their stocks of a key enzyme which may mean they can be immortal, the study said. <\/p>\n
Scientists know that one of the key factors associated with ageing cells is telomere length. <\/p>\n
Telomeres are sections of DNA that cap the ends of chromosomes, protecting them from damage and the loss of cell functions linked to ageing. <\/p>\n
Shorter telomeres are thought to be an indicator of faster ageing. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read the original: Flatworms, known as planarian worms, have long fascinated scientists because they have an extraordinary ability to regenerate. A planarian worm split lengthways or crossways will regenerate into two separate living worms Continue reading
\nFlatworms could hold key to immortality<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"