Flatworm Helps Researchers Study Stem Cells And Cancer
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 07:28
in Biology & Nature
Researchers report that planaria (flatworms) contain a gene highly similar to the human gene PTEN, one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer. Disruption of PTEN pathways in planaria resulted in abnormal growths, drastic changes in body shape, and, eventually, death.