Hyderabad, Aug 26 (IANS) — Researchers at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have uncovered a groundbreaking mechanism that could accelerate tissue repair and regeneration.
A team led by Dr. Santosh Chauhan has found that cells possess an intrinsic, programmed ability to recover even after approaching cell death. This process, termed Programmed Cell Revival, is not random but follows a highly orchestrated pattern similar to developmental growth, according to a CCMB press release on Tuesday.
The study, published in the EMBO Journal, shows that Programmed Cell Revival can significantly speed up wound healing and regeneration across multiple species. In experiments, it helped heal skin wounds and corneal burns in mice, triggered tail regeneration in frog tadpoles, promoted nerve repair in worms, and enhanced blood stem cell production in fruit flies.
Traditionally, cell death has been seen as an irreversible process. “What we observe is not accidental survival. Cells across diverse organisms can activate a shared program that re-engages their developmental, metabolic, and immune pathways, allowing them to fully recover,” Dr. Chauhan explained. “This changes our fundamental understanding of life, death, and healing at the cellular level.”
The team has applied for Indian and international patents for this discovery. However, they caution that the same mechanism could have a downside.
“Some cancer drug tests rely on superficial indicators of cell death. Our study suggests that such cells might revive with stronger stem-like properties, potentially making tumors more aggressive. While Programmed Cell Revival holds promise for regenerative medicine, it may also impact the effectiveness of cancer therapies,” Dr. Chauhan noted.
This discovery opens an exciting new avenue in cell biology, prompting regenerative medicine and cancer researchers worldwide to re-examine their approaches to treatment and healing.