Planaria are triploblastic acoelmate flatworms that inahabit marine and terrestrial environments and belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes. Though they are relatively complex creatures, as they possess an extremely branched gastrovascular cavity, a brain, hermaphroditic reproductive abilities, Planaria are best known for their regenerative capabilities (Rink, 2012). This is not a recent discovery, however. Peter Simon Pallas first described this regeneration 230 years ago in 1766, and Dalyell began experimental Planaria trials in 1814. Though there was a large resurgence in Planaria regeneration studies in the 1890s that involved renowned scientists such as Thomas Hunt Morgan, Planaria regeneration is still not yet completely understood (Newmark, Alvarado, 2001).
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Planaria possess neoblasts, a type of pluripotent adult stem cell that is held in the parenchyma. Neoblasts undergo massive proliferation whenever Planaria are injured, as through a cut, and produce a blastema comprised of undifferentiated cells surrounded by epidermal cells. The entire Planaria essentially then experiences cell turnover, and neoblast progeny replace old cells and fill in for missing ones (Reddien et al., 2005). Planaria’s simple body plan and anatomy make studies conducted on the flatworm convenient and relatively easy to execute. As a result, Planaria have many research applications, especially in topics related to extended lifespans. Planaria are often used in research regarding the regulation of in vivo stem cells in an attempt to better understand how all animals’ stem cells function (Reddien et al., 2005). Furthermore, they are also involved in anti-aging studies because of their non-shortening telomerase (Tan et al.,
Planaria possess neoblasts, a type of pluripotent adult stem cell that is held in the parenchyma. Neoblasts undergo massive proliferation whenever Planaria are injured, as through a cut, and produce a blastema comprised of undifferentiated cells surrounded by epidermal cells. The entire Planaria essentially then experiences cell turnover, and neoblast progeny replace old cells and fill in for missing ones (Reddien et al., 2005). Planaria’s simple body plan and anatomy make studies conducted on the flatworm convenient and relatively easy to execute. As a result, Planaria have many research applications, especially in topics related to extended lifespans. Planaria are often used in research regarding the regulation of in vivo stem cells in an attempt to better understand how all animals’ stem cells function (Reddien et al., 2005). Furthermore, they are also involved in anti-aging studies because of their non-shortening telomerase (Tan et al.,