homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Scientists activate tooth regeneration in mice

Mice are born with a single set of teeth, unlike humans which have two. Now, scientists used genetic techniques to signal the formation of additional teeth in mice.

Tibi Puiu
February 21, 2019 @ 8:36 pm

share Share

Credit: Pixabay.

Humans have two sets of teeth, the second of which is meant to replace our temporary deciduous teeth or “baby teeth.” Other animals, such as reptiles or fish, can regenerate teeth indefinitely during their lifetime. Mice, however, are born with a single set of teeth.

Looking to understand the evolutionary drivers between different tooth replacement strategies, researchers at the King’s College London studied dental development in mice. They identified a molecular signaling pathway in the rodents’ dental lamina, the area that forms the teeth, and using genetic techniques managed to regenerate a new set of teeth.

The researchers, led by Professor Abigail Tucker, first compared gene expression in the dental lamina of the mouse and the minipig, which has two sets of teeth. 

The research team found that Wnt signaling, which is normally required for tooth replacement in other vertebrates, is missing in a rudimentary form of the dental lamina (RSDL) in mice.

Using genetic techniques, the researchers activated this signaling pathway in the mouse RSDL, revitalizing the structure and ultimately leading to the formation of new teeth.

The study shows that RSDL may be a source of replacement teeth in mice and provides an experimental framework for studying the mechanisms behind replacement.

“Why the potential for tooth replacement varies so much across vertebrates is an intriguing question”, explains PhD student Elena Popa. “Our results show that, although the mouse normally does not form a second replacement set of teeth, it still has the potential to do so given the right signals.”

The authors also reported that culturing RSDL in isolation resulted in tooth formation, suggesting that the previous set of teeth also influences the development of the next.

Professor Tucker explains: “This is relevant to human tooth replacement, as structures similar to the RSDL have been identified next to the permanent teeth during development. In normal development of our teeth, therefore, the second set or permanent tooth may inhibit the generation of a third set of teeth.”

The findings appeared in the journal Development

share Share

A Fossil So Strange Scientists Think It’s From a Completely New Form of Life

This towering mystery fossil baffled scientists for 180 Years and it just got weirder.

ChatGPT Seems To Be Shifting to the Right. What Does That Even Mean?

ChatGPT doesn't have any political agenda but some unknown factor is causing a subtle shift in its responses.

This Freshwater Fish Can Live Over 120 Years and Shows No Signs of Aging. But It Has a Problem

An ancient freshwater species may be quietly facing a silent collapse.

The US wants to know if researchers in other countries follow MAGA doctrine

Science and policy are never truly free from one another. But one country's policy doesn't typically cross borders.

A Week of Cold Plunges Could Help Your Cells Fight Aging and Disease

Cold exposure "trains" cells to be more efficient at cleaning themselves up.

England will start giving morning-after pill for free

Free contraception in the UK clashes starkly with the US under Trump's shadow.

Japan’s Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming Earlier Than Ever. Guess Why

Climate change is disrupting natural cycles.

The most successful space telescope you never heard of just shut down

An astronomer says goodbye to Gaia, the satellite that mapped the galaxy.

A Gene-Edited Pig Liver Was Hooked to a Human for 10 Days and It Actually Worked

Breakthrough transplant raises hopes for patients needing liver support or awaiting transplants.

If you use ChatGPT a lot, this study has some concerning findings for you

So, umm, AI is not your friend — literally.