Abstract

The ability to regenerate lost body structures is present in diverse animal species ranging from simple organisms, such as the hydra to complex vertebrates, such as salamanders. We aim to understand how animals with outstanding regenerative capabilities sense what and how much is missing in relation to the normal homeostatic state, and how they translate that information to the appropriate regenerative responses. We primarily study an aquatic salamander, the newt, which possesses exceptional regenerative capacities among adult vertebrates.

In particular, we focus on how progenitor cells are created and characterize their developmental potential during regeneration. We are currently generating comprehensive genetic resources such as transcriptome, genome databases, and in vivo genome editing tools for newts. We will use these genomic resources for gaining deeper insights into salamander regeneration at the molecular level and for cross-species comparisons with mammals in clinically relevant lesion/regeneration settings. Our research might reveal fundamental aspects of cell fate determination that could contribute to the design of novel regenerative strategies.