Scientists gain new understanding of adult stem cell regulation

Forsyth Institute scientists have discovered an important mechanism for controlling the behavior of adult stem cells. Research with the flatworm, planaria, found a novel role for the proteins involved in cell-to-cell communication. This work has the potential to help scientists understand the nature of the messages that control stem cell regulation - such as the message that maintain and tells a stem cell to specialize and to become part of an organ e.g.: liver or skin.