Changes in bioelectric signals trigger formation of new organs: Tadpoles made to grow eyes in back, tail

Changes in bioelectric signals trigger formation of new organs: Tadpoles made to grow eyes in back, tail: For the first time, scientists have altered natural bioelectrical communication among cells to directly specify the type of new organ to be created at a particular location within a vertebrate organism. Using genetic manipulation of membrane voltage in Xenopus (frog) embryos, biologists were able to cause tadpoles to grow eyes outside of the head area. The researchers achieved most surprising results when they manipulated membrane voltage of cells in the tadpole's back and tail, well outside of where the eyes could normally form.