By Megan Molteni April 22, 2021Reprints Confocal micrograph of a primary human fibroblast cells grown in culture stained for actin, a highly abundant protein in cells that makes up the cytoskeleton of cells (blue). The nucleus is shown in red. Fibroblasts are specialized cells involved in wound healing.
Matthew Daniels / University of Oxford/Wellcome
Scars. Like memories, we all have them. When you look at a scar you might see a tumble, a fight, an operation, a reminder of that time you succumbed to youthful stupidity, survived a traumatic incident, cheated death. But these marks aren’t just cosmetic keepsakes. Scar tissue is what happens when skin heals but it doesn’t regenerate. It’s not as strong, it can’t move as well, it can’t grow hair or secrete sweat or sense the environment.