A scientist from AgResearch has unlocked the secret to what makes deer antlers regenerate each year, paving the way for research into human limb regeneration.
Dr Chunyi Li, from the Invermay campus near Dunedin, says the secret lies at the base of the antler with special stem cells, which by their very nature are able to renew themselves.
He says these cells activate a process in spring that starts the antlers growing again.
Dr Li says antlers are unique in their nature to regrow, as other mammalian organs do not share that ability.
He says understanding what causes the stem cells to start growing again will be essential to future work.
It is not known when the research might be tested on humans.
