Evolutionary ties between humans and prehistoric animals –
study published in “Nature”
The fresh-water polyp Hydra, a member of the over
600-million-year-old phylum Cnidaria, is famous for its virtually unlimited
regenerative capability and hence a perfect model for molecular stem cell and
regeneration research. This polyp, with its simple structure and radial
symmetry, can help us understand how our body axes came to evolve. Scientists
from Heidelberg and Vienna have brought this evidence to light through their
research on the formation of new polyps in the Hydra through asexual
reproduction. Their findings have now been published in the journal “Nature”.