Life Sciences Commons^™

Horseshoe Crabs, Jessie M. Roncevic

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) are fascinating animals known as “living fossils.” Older than dinosaurs, horseshoe crabs are arthropods, closely related to spiders and scorpions. Many shorebirds, including red knot, depend on the eggs of horseshoe crabs during migration. Horseshoe crabs are captured and bled alive for their blue blood. Rich in limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), their blood is used for the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test, which is used worldwide to detect bacterial toxins in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Horseshoe crabs have an intricate anatomy, so I spent a lot of time researching it before I started drawing them. When …

Floridians, Michael Anglim-Lindros

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

The purpose of this piece is to explore species present in Florida by depicting native species alongside commonly seen non-native ones. I decided to focus on mammals, specifically those I have personally observed while living in North Florida. By illustrating their unadorned skeletal remains, I hope to inspire viewers to consider the similarities, differences, and relationships among these organisms, as well as the lives they lead on shared land.

The species depicted in this piece are (clockwise from middle) Homo sapiens (human) - non-native; Tadarida brasiliensis (Mexican free-tailed bat); Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo); Sciurus niger shermani (Sherman’s fox squirrel); Odocoileus …

Probiotic Intervention In Managing Chronic Stress, Bianca Opdenbosch

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Chronic stress can induce gut dysbiosis which contributes to the dysregulation of the gut-brain axis and leads to anxiety and depressive-like symptoms. The gut-brain axis relies on nervous, immune, and endocrine interactions. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance within the gut microbiome, disrupts gut-brain communication, impairing gut barrier integrity, inflammation regulation, and hormonal and neurotransmitter production. These gut changes contribute to mood disorders resulting from stress, and thus it is important to implement dietary interventions, like probiotics, to help mitigate these effects. Research highlights the potential of probiotics to act as an intervention to combat stress-induced gut dysbiosis and replenish beneficial bacteria …

Rewilding The Built Environment: Navigating Economic, Political, And Social Barriers To Urban Ecological Restoration, Carly E. Smith

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Urban rewilding offers a nature-based approach to restoring ecological processes in cities while advancing climate resilience, biodiversity, and public well-being. Unlike conventional green infrastructure, rewilding allows ecosystems to develop with minimal intervention, emphasizing succession, complexity, and long-term adaptability. This paper examines the political, economic, and social factors that frame how rewilding is understood and implemented in urban planning. Governmental frameworks often prioritize order, predictability, and short-term results, making it difficult to accommodate the uncertainty and ecological complexity that rewilding requires. Economic models struggle to capture its long-term value, frequently overlooking ecosystem services or reconciling competing land uses. Social perceptions of …

Analysis Of Mct-1 Expression In Mouse Neural Retina In Response To Chronic Inflammation, Ian W. Ronson

PANDION: The Osprey Journal of Research and Ideas

Chronic inflammation is a current public health concern as it is linked to the etiology and symptoms of numerous diseases, for example diabetic retinopathy (DR). In the case of DR, inflammation leads to dysregulation of the blood retina barrier causing retinal hemorrhage and macular edema leading ultimately to irreversible vision loss. MCT-1 is critical for the survival of photoreceptor cells because MCT-1 forms protein complexes with Basigin, a cell-cell adhesion protein, that enables Müller glial cells to efficiently provide lactate as a high energy fuel source. Previous studies have shown chronic inflammation reduces Basigin expression in the retina and that …

Enzymes Of Calendula Officinalis L. As Affected By Foliar Application Of Nano-Nitrogen And Potassium Fertilizers, Under Water Stress Conditions, Aqeel Abdulabbas Alsudani, Qais Hussain Abbas Al-Semmak

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Water stress is a major environmental factor that limits the growth and productivity of Calendula officinalis L. To alleviate its negative effects, recent approaches have increasingly focused on nano-fertilizers that enhance plant antioxidant defenses. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effect of foliar application of nano-nitrogen (0, 2, and 4 mL L⁻¹) and nano-potassium (0, 2, and 4 g L⁻¹) fertilizers under two irrigation regimes (100% and 50% of field capacity) on the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD). The results revealed that irrigation at 50% field capacity significantly increased CAT, …

Animal Welfare Body Terms Of Reference, Munster Technological University, Ireland

Policies & Procedures Documents

The University recognises the necessity to uphold animal health and welfare in its education and research activities. As part of this obligation, mindful of the legal regulatory requirements , the University has set up the Animal Welfare Body (AWB) to oversee and enforce the protection of animals and promote a culture of animal care among researchers and educators.

The AWB is given the powers by the Vice President Research & Innovation to fully uphold the principles of Scientific Animal Protection within the University, ensure compliance with the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), and provide records of animal engagement for research …

Prevalence And Molecular Characterization Of Non-Typhoidal Salmonella In Poultry Of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Tumwi T. Salah, Paulo S. Joseph, Bishop I. Magidanga, Richard S. Mwakapuja, Victor A. Makene

Tanzania Journal of Science

Poultry is one of the common source of non-typhoidal Salmonella and poultry products are the major sources of human and animal infections with the Salmonella. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of non-typhoidal Salmonella in live commercial and backyard chickens from retail markets and farms in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. The study was conducted in four districts; Ubungo, Kinondoni, Temeke and Ilala. A total of 400 chickens (120 broilers, 120 layers and 160 backyard chickens) were tested for Salmonella. Salmonella isolation and identification was carried out using bacteriological standard methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) …

Tumor-Specific Cytotoxicity Of Pyrazole-Based Chalcone Derivatives In Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines, Mehtap Tuğrak Sakarya, Hali̇se İnci̇ Gül, Hiroshi Sakagami, Junko Nagai, Yoshihiro Uesawa, Kenjiro Bandow

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Pyrazole-based chalcone hybrids are notable in medicinal chemistry for their potential biological activity, although their tumor-specific cytotoxicity and mechanisms remain unknown in OSCC cells. This first study of pyrazole-chalcone hybrids in OSCC cells explores the tumor-selective cytotoxic effects and underlying cell death mechanisms triggered by a series of 10 newly synthesized pyrazole-based compounds (MS1MS10) in OSCC cell lines. Material and methods: The cytotoxic effects of the compounds were assessed using the MTT assay on four human OSCC cell lines and three types of normal human oral cells. The tumor-selectivity index (TS) and potency-selectivity expression (PSE) were calculated, and active …

Crude Extracts Of Seaweeds (Ulva Lactuca And Eucheuma Spinosum) As Biostimulants For Enhancing Sweet Pepper Production, Charles Olambo Joseph, Seif Amour M

Tanzania Journal of Science

Sweet pepper is the world’s second most important vegetable after tomato, making its production vital for economic growth and supporting livelihoods. However, growing concerns about environmental protection and sustainability make the search for eco‑friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers inevitable. Seaweed extracts are rich in bioactive compounds that can stimulate key plant growth and defense pathways making them effective biofertilizer. A Randomized Complete Block Design was laid out to evaluate the potential of seaweed extract (U. lactuca and E. spinosum) in promoting the growth and productivity of sweet pepper(Capsicum annuum L.). Seaweed was applied in both liquid and …

Morphological And Biochemical Characterization Of Endophytic Bacteria From Selected Medicinal Plants Found At The University Of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Ibrahim Juma

Tanzania Journal of Science

Endophytic bacteria are capable of colonising internal tissues of medicinal plants, and producing secondary metabolites (biochemical compounds) of beneficial importance like the ones produced by their host plants. Though Tanzania harbours a wide species of medicinal plants with endophytic bacteria capable of producing such important bioactive substances, research on these bacteria remains scant, which limit their biotechnological applications. This work was undertaken to isolate and document endophytic bacteria from tropical almond, local avocado, banana and blue snake weed plants found at the University of Dar es Salaam, main campus. The study characterised the isolated endophytes based on morphological descriptors and …

Microplastic Pollution In Marine Ecosystems: Sources, Impacts, Andstakeholder-Based Solutions, Seren Acarer Arat

Turkish Journal of Biology

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles of anthropogenic origin with a size range of 1–5000 μm. Marine MP pollution is increasingly recognized as a significant global environmental challenge. MPs, which enter marine ecosystems from land- and marine-based sources, pose physical, chemical, and biological risks due to the adsorption of various pollutants and the formation of biofilm layers. MPs are found in various organisms from lower to higher trophic levels of the marine food web. The negative effects of MPs on marine organisms depend on their abundance, their characteristics, and the exposure time of organisms to MPs. MPs can adversely affect various …

Application Of Biological And Green Nanomaterials In Wastewater Treatment: Techniques For The Effective Removal Of Dyes, Heavy Metals, And Organic Pollutants, Emi̇ne Sena Kazan Kaya, Zeynep Ci̇ğeroğlu, Tansel Kemerli̇ Kalbaran, Başak Temur Ergan, Zeynep Mi̇ne Şenol, Meral Yildirim Yalçin

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Wastewater from industrial, agricultural, and residential sources poses significant environmental and public health risks due to the presence of dyes, heavy metals, and organic pollutants. Conventional treatment methods are often inadequate for the complete removal of these pollutants. Therefore, the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient treatment techniques has become increasingly important. The aim of this review is to evaluate the application of biological and green nanomaterials in wastewater treatment and to compare their effectiveness against different types of pollutants (dyes, heavy metals, and organics).

Materials and methods: This review provides detailed information on the removal of …

A Review Of Deep Learning Architectures For Plant Disease Detection​, Yasi̇n Kaya, Ercan Gürsoy

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The rapid advancement of deep learning (DL) has revolutionized plant disease detection by enabling highly accurate, image-based diagnostic solutions. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of DL-based methodologies for plant disease detection, systematically structured around the key stages of the modeling pipeline, encompassing data acquisition, preprocessing, augmentation, classification, detection, segmentation, and deployment.

Materials and methods: The review focuses on evaluating convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures such as VGG, ResNet, EfficientNet, and DenseNet across diverse experimental contexts. Classification strategies are categorized according to their integration of visualization techniques (e.g., saliency maps, Grad-CAM) to enhance model interpretability, emphasizing the pivotal role …

Green Carbon Dots In The Era Of Ai: Sustainable Synthesis, Intelligent Drug Delivery, Advanced Diagnostics, And Bioimaging, Emi̇ne Sezer, Fulden Ulucan Karnak, Si̇nan Akgöl

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Green carbon dots (GCDs) are a rapidly developing class of nanomaterials that are revolutionizing various scientific disciplines due to their unique optical properties, low toxicity, and sustainable synthesis. This review offers a comprehensive roadmap for the field, emphasizing the synergy between GCDs and artificial intelligence (AI).

Materials and methods: We begin by detailing the sustainable synthesis of GCDs, highlighting green chemistry principles and the transformative role of AI in optimizing their production. Subsequently, we explore the critical characterization of GCDs, including their structural, optical, and biocompatibility assessment. The core of this study explores the diverse biomedical applications of GCDs, …

Applications Of Transfer Learning In Sunflower Disease Detection: Advances, Challenges, And Future Directions, Yonis Gulzar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a crop of high economic and nutritional importance that continues to suffer significant yield losses due to foliar diseases. Traditional image-based and laboratory detection techniques remain limited by subjectivity, cost, and scalability. Transfer learning (TL) has recently emerged as an effective approach to overcoming these challenges involving the reuse of pretrained deep models for plant pathology tasks. Presented here is a systematic examination of recent TL-based studies on sunflower disease classification to identify prevailing trends, research gaps, and future opportunities.

Materials and methods: A structured Scopus query was employed to retrieve peer-reviewed articles published between …

Principles Of Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture For Building Resilient And Resource-Efficient Food Systems, Ramazan Çakmakçi, Songül Çakmakçi, Muhammet Fati̇h Çakmakçi

Turkish Journal of Biology

As the demand for greater quantities of higher-quality food grows with population expansion, climate change, urbanization, and unsustainable agricultural practices accelerate the loss of arable land, ultimately threatening agricultural sustainability. Population growth necessitates a transition to nutritious, safe, and healthy food production systems that ensure higher yields, less reduced waste, improved social outcomes, and the integration of economic, social, and environmental sustainability principles. Urgent global challenges such as resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and climate change necessitate the protection of ecosystems and the sustainable use of natural resources. Agricultural systems must enhance food production and supply productivity, strengthen system resilience, and …

Artificial Intelligence In Medical And Biological Research: Promise And Perils Of Chatgpt And Deepseek In Advancing Healthcare, Mahmut Enes Kayaalp, Onur Gülteki̇n, Serhat Akçaalan, Hami̇t Çağlayan Kahraman, Hüseyi̇n Nevzat Topçu, Gülşah Kavrul Kayaalp

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek, is being increasingly applied in clinical care, research, and education. The aim of this review is to examine how these tools may transform the conduct of medical and biological research and to define their limitations.

Materials and methods: A narrative synthesis of the literature was performed, encompassing studies published between 2020 and 2025. Peer-reviewed journals, systematic reviews, and high-impact original research articles were included to ensure an evidence-based overview. The principle applications, validation metrics, and clinical implications across orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, internal medicine, and the biological …

A Systematic Review Of Machine Learning In Heart Disease Prediction, Tathagat Banerjee, İshak Paçal

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of global mortality, prompting the need for advanced predictive tools. While machine learning (ML) offers a powerful solution, there are significant challenges to clinical translation. This systematic review synthesizes the current state of ML in heart disease prediction, evaluating algorithmic performance, data utilization, and key translational challenges.

Materials and methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of literature published up to 2025 was conducted. From an initial pool of over 2500 records, a rigorous screening process yielded 65 studies for in-depth qualitative synthesis.

Results: Analysis showed that ensemble learning models dominate prediction …

Flavonoids And Phenolic Compounds: A Promising Avenue For Neurodegenerative Disease Therapy, Tesli̇me Özge Şahi̇n, Özge Cemali̇, Merve Özdemi̇r, Şeri̇fe Ayten, Duygu Ağagündüz

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and ALS are characterized by a progressive loss of nerve cells, for which no definitive cure currently exists. These conditions share common pathological mechanisms, including chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Flavonoids and other plant-derived phenolic compounds have recently attracted attention for the treatment of such conditions due to their antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. This review explores the neuroprotective mechanisms of flavonoids and evaluates their potential for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Materials and methods: A literature search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases …

Hsa_Circ_0001776 Regulates The Progression Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Through The Mir-1269b/Pten Axis, Yaoyao Wang, Xiancong Yang, Simin Rong, Xiaoxu Lan, Chenhui Ti, Weimiao Sun, Baohui Yin, Youjie Li, Yunxiao Sun

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant neoplasm arising from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. It is a common subtype of childhood leukemia and remains challenging to cure. Emerging evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs, play key regulatory roles in tumor biology. Among their various functions, circRNAs often act as ‘sponges’ for microRNAs (miRNAs), modulating gene expression posttranscriptionally. This study investigates the functional role and clinical relevance of hsa_circ_0001776 in AML.

Materials and methods: Three AML cell lines and 22 peripheral blood samples were analyzed. Differential expression analysis of circRNAs in a GSE dataset …

Royal Jelly With Ellagic Acid Inhibits The Glycolytic Pathway And Induces Apoptosis Through Multiple Pathways In Colorectal Cancer, Tuğba Kul Köprülü

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Developing novel chemotherapeutics with high anticancer efficacy and low toxicity remains a critical challenge in oncology. Natural products have shown promise due to their multitargeted activity and favorable safety profiles. The present study investigates the combined anticancer effects of royal jelly (RJ) and ellagic acid (EA), two potent antioxidants of animal and plant origin.

Materials and methods: Royal jelly (RJ) and ellagic acid (EA) were applied to HT29 (ATCC HTB-38, Human colorectal adenocarcinoma), HCT116 (ATCC CCL-247, Human colorectal carcinoma) and BEAS-2B (ATCC CRL-3588, human bronchial epithelium) cell lines, and their antiproliferative effects were evaluated using a xCELLigence Real-Time Cell …

Differential Modulation Of Cisplatin Efficacy By Montelukast Sodium And Desloratadine In Lung Cancer, Seha Akduman, Büşra Yüksel, Di̇dem Teci̇mel, Ömer Faruk Bayrak, Di̇dem Seven, Fi̇kretti̇n Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Despite advances in treatment, achieving effective and durable responses with chemotherapy remains a significant challenge in lung cancer management. This study investigates the effects of montelukast sodium (MLS) and desloratadine (DES), alone and in combination with cisplatin (CIS), on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, and antioxidant gene expression in A549 and DMS114 lung cancer cell lines.

Materials and methods: Cells were treated with CIS, MLS, DES, and their combinations for 24–72 h. Cell viability was assessed via MTS assay; apoptosis and cell cycle progression were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of antioxidant-related genes (GPX4, GSR, GCLC) was …

Evaluating Sh-Sy5y Cells As A Dopaminergic Neuronal Model: Morphological, Transcriptomic, And Proteomic Insights, Eylül Ece İşlek Camadan, Mehmet Sarihan, Murat Kasap, Gürler Akpinar, Eli̇fcan Koçyi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line is a popular in vitro model for neurodegenerative disease research, especially Parkinson’s disease (PD) research, but its use is complicated by limitations like the persistence of neuroblastoma-like features, unstable differentiation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular stress. To address these limitations, this study tested a blended, nine-day differentiation protocol that sequentially applied all-trans retinoic acid (RA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP). By evaluating key neuronal, dopaminergic, and PD-related markers, the research aims to determine if these differentiated SH-SY5Y cells are a suitable model for studying PD.

Materials and methods: A blended …

The Effects Of The Combined Use Of Carbon Quantum Dots And Antibacterial Agents On Pathogenic Bacteria, Derya Doğanay, İbrahi̇m Serkan Avşar, Şevval Maral Özcan Aykol, Gamze Çamlik, Besa Bi̇lakaya, İsmai̇l Tuncer Deği̇m

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: This study evaluates the challenges associated with overcoming antimicrobial resistance and innovative approaches to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections.

Materials and methods: Novel codoped carbon quantum dots (CCQDs) were synthesized using citric acid as the carbon source and L-cysteine as the nitrogen codoping atom. The formulation in which citric acid was retained was designated as CCQDs-1, whereas the purified version, from which citric acid was removed, was termed CCQDs-2. The antibacterial properties of CCQDs-1 and CCQDs-2 were compared using the agar well diffusion method. This study comprehensively characterizes these nanomaterials and evaluates their antibacterial potential, both alone and in …

A Guide To Breaking Seed Dormancy Of Common Wetland Plant Species, Samantha R. Kurkowski, Rae Robinson, Sandra E. Johnston, Montana M. Horchler, Adrienne E. Ernst, Margaret D. Haney, Karin M. Kettenring

All Current Publications

This guide was developed from a series of seed dormancy break and germination experiments conducted over 4 years with 41 species. The purpose of this guide is to synthesize the information we learned through these experiments and present the findings for those interested in breaking seed dormancy, such as land managers, restoration practitioners, and wetland researchers. Ultimately, we hope this guidance catalyzes further wetland restoration throughout the Intermountain West.

Dramatic Biases In Terrestrial Nitrogen Fixation In Earth System Models Revealed By Natural Isotope Signatures, Maoyuan Fang, Shushi Peng, Philippe Ciais, Daniel S. Goll, Benjamin Z. Houlton, Ying-Ping Wang, Yilong Wang, Pan Liu, Joshua B. Fisher, Pierre Regnier

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the primary input of new reactive nitrogen to natural terrestrial ecosystems. However, this flux is poorly constrained due to its unclear drivers and associated control mechanisms. Here, we extend the existing theory of nitrogen (N) isotope mass balance to estimate BNF rates and then use a Bayesian approach to constrain the BNF rates in natural terrestrial ecosystems by using measurements of natural N-isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N) in plants (δ_P) and soil (δ_S). Together with pairwise δ_P and δ_S measurements from 18 forest sites covering diverse climates and thousands …

Epac2 Deficiency Compromises Adaptation To Dietary Acidification By Decreasing H+ Transport In The Renal Nephron, Kyrylo Pyrshev, Anna Atamanchuk, Wenli Yang, Mariya Kordysh, Fang Mei, Oleg Zaika, Xiaodong Cheng, Oleh Pochynyuk

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Kidneys are central in maintaining acid-base homeostasis by recovering filtered bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the proximal tubule and by secreting H+ in the collecting duct. Here, we demonstrate a critical role of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling, and particularly the Epac2, in governing renal adaptation to dietary acid load. RNAseq analysis of the renal cortical area revealed that Epac1&2 deficiency was associated with changes in gene profile seen in acidosis. Renal expression of Epac2 but not Epac1 was enhanced by acid load. Epac2-/- mice developed a pronounced metabolic acidosis due to the inability to acidify urine in …

Nuclear Poly(A)-Binding Protein And Nucleolin Utilize Their Rna Recognition Motifs To Read Par Chains, Leilei Shi, Morgan Dasovich, John R Horton, Hongrui Liu, Qiansheng Zhan, Swarnalatha Manickavinayaham, Collene R Jeter, Isaiah J Mixon, Nicholas M Zehrbach, Charles A Ishak, Je-Hyun Yoon, Xiaodong Cheng, Anthony K L Leung, Mark T Bedford

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is a post-translational modification mediated by ADP-ribosyltransferases, known as PARPs, which attach ADP-ribose units onto proteins, forming negatively charged multimeric chains. This modification relaxes chromatin at DNA damage sites, facilitating repair machinery access. Additionally, PAR polymers serve as docking platforms for effector proteins, termed PAR "readers", commonly involved in DNA repair. The recruitment of these proteins is mediated through conserved protein domains, including RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). Using an array of hundreds of recombinant RNA-binding domains, we systematically examined RRM interactions with PAR chains of varying lengths. Despite their chemical similarity to RNA, only a small subset of …

Molecular And Cellular Characterization Of Planarian Stem Cell Microenvironments, Frederick G Mann, Carolyn E Brewster, Dung M Vuu, Mol Mir, Riley Galton, Shao-Fu Nien, Enya R Dewars, Carlos Guerrero-Hernández, Jason A Morrison, Mary C Mckinney, Lucinda E Maddera, Melainia L Mcclain, Kate E Hall, Seth Malloy, Shiyuan Chen, Brian D Slaughter, Sean A Mckinney, Stephanie H Nowotarski, Anoja Perera, Blair W Benham-Pyle, Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Stem cell niches are essential for regulating stem cell self-renewal and differentiation during tissue repair and regeneration. However, the mechanisms supporting stem cell function in highly regenerative organisms, such as the freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, remain unclear. Using spatial transcriptomics, we identified two cell types associated with planarian stem cells: secretory cells we term "hecatonoblasts" and intestinal cells. Surprisingly, while hecatonoblasts were in close physical proximity to stem cells in the mesenchyme, they were dispensable for regeneration. In contrast, intestinal cells, despite lacking direct contact with stem cells, regulated both their position and function during regeneration. Electron microscopy revealed diverse …