Molecular Cell Biology: Endogenous Brain Regeneration in Alita (2019)

This essay delves into the concept of endogenous regeneration within the human brain, drawing insights from the movie Alita (2019). It defines endogenous regeneration as the brain's capacity for repair and regeneration, highlighting the role of neural stem cells and regenerative molecules in repairing damaged glial cells and neurons. The essay identifies key factors such as HGF, FGF-2, and Galectin-1 as transcription signaling factors and neurotransmitters like EGF, GABA, NRGs, VEGF, and PEDF as crucial for neurogenesis. It also discusses the importance of blocking inhibitory factors to initiate regeneration. The study emphasizes that brain cell regeneration is vital for survival, acting as the central processing unit and ensuring the regeneration of all other body cells. This essay serves as a valuable resource for students studying molecular cell biology and neuroscience, offering insights into the intricate processes of brain repair and regeneration.

Running head: MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
ENDOGENOUS REGENERATION (HUMAN BRAIN)
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
According to the movie Alita (2019), the human brain can be implanted on the body
of a robot to give rise to a cyborg. Alita has been found to consist of a fully functional human
brain. For example, Alita can hear by the transfer of sound signals in the form of electrical
signals to the brain (Cameron & Landau, 2019). Alita was created by transplanting a human
brain inside the artificial body. However, it can be stated that, to function as a human Alita
needs the other four essential organs- the heart, the lungs, the kidneys and the liver. This
paper will discuss the process of endogenous regeneration in the brain of Alita which has
been found to be evident in this movie.
Endogenous regeneration in the brain has been defined as the cell’s ability to engage
in the repair process along with regeneration. Endogenous neural stem cells and regenerative
molecules have been found to participate in the process of repair and replacement of damaged
glial cells and neurons. In adults, neural stem cells have been found to reside in the
subventricular zone. This section has been found to be present in Alita’s brain which repairs
and replaces the damaged brain neurons to keep her functional. According to the movie Alita,
it has been observed that HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), FGF-2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor)
and Galectin-1 has been used as the transcription signalling factors necessary for the
regeneration of brain cells. Neurogenesis has been found to be associated with
neurotransmitters such as EGF (Epidermal Growth Factors), GABA, NRGs (neuregulins),
VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factors) and PEDF (pigment epithelium-derived factor)
(Li & Chen, 2016). These factors have been identified to support the regeneration process
together. In the movie, it has been observed that in case of the damages and brain injuries to
Alita, neurogenesis was found to be insufficient to save the life of Alita. Blocking the
inhibitory factors such as those expressed in myelin, NG2-glia and reactive oligodendrocytes
have been observed to be effective in starting the process of human brain regeneration in
Alita. Neurogenesis in other organisms (humans) have been found to occur in the central

2MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
nervous system, subgranular zone and subventricular zone. These regions include basic
fibroblast growth factors (FGF2), Notch-1, HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), sonic hedgehog
(SHH), Galectin-1 and soluble carbohydrate-binding protein as the inducers of neurogenesis
of endogenous regeneration of brain cells.
Thus, it can be stated that the endogenous regeneration of brain cells is possible only when
there is the presence of inductive and transcription factors to start the process. Brain cell
regeneration has been stated to be necessary because of the fact that human beings and
cyborgs (Alita) will never survive without the process. As normal cells regenerate, brain cells
must regenerate to allow all the other body cells to regenerate. In other words, this essay also
satisfies the fact that the brain is the central processing unit of an organism.

3MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
References
Cameron, J., & Landau, J. (2019). Alita: Battle Angel [Video]. Retrieved from
https://family.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/alita-battle-angel
Li, H., & Chen, G. (2016). In vivo reprogramming for CNS repair: regenerating neurons from
endogenous glial cells. Neuron, 91(4), 728-738.