Short Wave 'Are You A Model?': Crickets Are So Hot Right Now
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Mar 9, 2023 Cassandra Extavour, an evolutionary biologist at Harvard, explores the intriguing use of crickets as model organisms in scientific research. Despite her neutral feelings about crickets, she discusses their potential to advance our understanding of genetics and brain functions. Crickets uniquely retain stem cells in their adult brains, offering insights into neurodegenerative diseases. She emphasizes the importance of diverse model organisms in research and how crickets could reshape our approach to studying human health and biology.
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Crickets as Model Organisms
- Crickets offer unique research opportunities compared to fruit flies, like studying adult brain stem cells.
- This is valuable because fruit flies lack these cells, while crickets and humans share this characteristic.
Germ Cell Development
- Research on cricket germ cells revealed a different formation process than in fruit flies.
- This suggests that the signaling method observed in crickets might be an older evolutionary mechanism.
Diversity in Model Organisms
- Scientists should use a diverse range of model organisms in research.
- This helps contextualize findings and ensures broader applicability of the research.