TED Talks Daily To solve old problems, study new species | Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
Jan 12, 2017
Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, a developmental and regeneration biologist, emphasizes the need to broaden our biological research beyond just a handful of species like rats and chickens. He argues that exploring the vast diversity of life, particularly marine ecosystems, holds the key to solving age-old problems like cancer. Alvarado showcases the astonishing regenerative abilities of marine organisms and advocates for studying new species to unlock innovative solutions in science. Embracing the unknown in nature can lead to remarkable discoveries and deepen our understanding of life.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Boat Trips Yield New Species Discoveries
- Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado describes summer boat trips from Woods Hole where he nets little-known marine animals.
- He recounts finding possible new species and strange ascidians that reveal surprising biology related to humans.
Research Focus Is Narrow And Risky
- Modern biology focuses intensely on a tiny subset of species, limiting discovery.
- Alejandro argues that studying only a few model organisms restricts our ability to solve big problems like cancer.
Flatworm Regeneration Mysteries
- Alvarado tells how the flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea regenerates whole animals from many fragments.
- He shares that after decades of work they still don't fully understand its regenerative magic.