On February 26, the internationally renowned academic journal "Science" published a research result of Zhou Bin's research group at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The research developed a new technology that can capture cell proliferation for a long time without interruption—— ProTracer, using this technology, researchers have discovered the source of new hepatocytes in the adult liver.
The liver has a strong ability to regenerate. After part of the liver is removed, it can regenerate by relying on its self-proliferation.
Zhou Bin's research group has developed a video recorder that can capture cell proliferation, ProTracer, which can track cell proliferation uninterrupted for a long period of time, and can accurately locate and track the cell proliferation of a specific cell group (such as liver cells).
In mouse experiments, they used this technology to label the proliferating hepatocytes with a "unique mark". After close tracking for several weeks to several months, they finally found that the new hepatocytes in the adult liver were mainly derived from the middle area of the liver lobules. Hepatocyte.
This research opens up new ideas for liver damage repair and regeneration and provides a new theoretical basis for the treatment of liver diseases.
(Video sourced by reporter Zheng Yingying, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, produced by Guo Shihao)
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]