Oxford Events, the new replacement for OxTalks, will launch on 16th March. From now until the launch of Oxford Events, new events cannot be published or edited on OxTalks while all existing records are migrated to the new platform. The existing OxTalks site will remain available to view during this period.
From 16th, Oxford Events will launch on a new website: events.ox.ac.uk, and event submissions will resume. You will need a Halo login to submit events. Full details are available on the Staff Gateway.
Abstract: Cell competition shapes tissue dynamics and homeostasis by mediating interactions between genetically distinct cells, yet its role in adult pluripotent stem cells systems remains unclear— especially in regenerating organisms. Planarian flatworms, which rely on stem cells for continuous tissue renewal, offer a valuable model. This study explores how genetic heterogeneity influences neoblast competition using chimeric Schmidtea polychroa worms created via reciprocal tissue transplantation between strains. Imaging and sequencing revealed a consistent hierarchy: strains with higher mitotic activity outcompeted others. Results support a neutral competition model where proliferation rate—not antagonism— determines success. Computational simulations confirmed mitotic fraction as the strongest outcome predictor. These findings suggest planarians preserve genetic diversity through stem cell competition, offering insight into how tissue integrity is maintained. This model advances our understanding of regenerative biology and may inform stem cell research in tissue repair and disease.
