neogenesis

Neogenesis, from the Greek neo- meaning new and genesis meaning birth or origin, is a term used in biology to denote the formation of new tissue, cells, or organisms. It functions as a general descriptor for regenerative or developmental processes in which novel biological material appears. The term is context-dependent and may involve cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, or morphogenesis during growth, healing, or disease.

In neuroscience, neogenesis is sometimes used as a shorthand for neurogenesis—the production of new neurons in the brain—though neurogenesis is the more precise and widely used term in most studies. Adult neurogenesis has been identified in certain regions of the mammalian brain, notably the hippocampus and the subventricular zone, and remains an active area of research with implications for learning, memory, and aging.

In other tissues, neogenesis refers to the generation of new cell types or tissue during development or regeneration. For example, proposals about pancreatic, hepatic, or cardiac neogenesis describe formation of new functional cells from progenitors after injury or disease. The extent and mechanisms of such neogenesis are debated and vary among species and experimental models, reflecting broader uncertainties about adult tissue regeneration.

Because neogenesis is a broad term, its precise meaning is highly dependent on the scientific discipline and the specific context of a study.