Regenerative Neurogenesis in Echinoderms

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0076347Garcia ArrarasNeurogenesis, or the process by which new nerve cells are formed, is anunusual phenomenon in adult vertebrates. The proposed work focuses on theregeneration of the nervous system, particularly on the neurogenesis thatoccurs after tissue loss or damage. Holothurians or sea cucumbers will beused to study the formation of new nerve cells, or neurons, in adultorganisms. First, the work aims to explore the regeneration capacities ofthe main nervous system and the associated events of cell division andconversion of the dividing cells into neurons. Second, it studies theregeneration of the enteric nervous system, or the component of thenervous system associated with the digestive tract. Finally, it studiesgenes coding for proteins known to be important in regenerative andembryological processes. Cellular, histological and molecular techniqueswill be used to achieve these aims. Neuron loss is associated with mental and motor diseases, learningimpairment, memory loss and many other nervous system-related problems.Echinoderms are well known for their amazing regeneration capacities.Studying regenerative neurogenesis in these animals, which are closelyrelated to vertebrates, will provide basic information on theunderstanding of how neurons are formed and regenerated.