Integrative Regeneration

A great deal of the research on regeneration has been aimed at cellular and molecular levels, but few studies have addressed regenerative ability in a broader context.  So, despite being one of the most compelling topics in biology, basic questions remain unanswered.  For example, among tetrapods why is the ability to regenerate limbs restricted to salamanders?  Is regenerative ability constrained by fundamental traits such as body size, age, life stage, or growth pattern?

We have developed an interdisciplinary working group to better understand regeneration at a variety of biological scales.  This work is being conducted in collaboration with Malcolm Maden, Ashley W Seifert, James R. Monaghan, François Michonneau, Bret Pasch, and Adrian C. Stier.  We have been conducting a large scale experiment to understand the relationship between fundamental traits and regeneration rate and success in axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum.

Related Publications:

Seifert, A.W., J.R. Monaghan, M.D. Smith, B. Pasch, A.C. Stier, F. Michonneau, and M. Maden.  2011. The influence of functional traits on mechanisms controlling appendage regeneration.  Biological Reviews 87:330-345

Monaghan, J.R., A.W. Seifert, F. Michonneau, B. Pasch, A.C. Stier, and M.D. Smith. In Prep.  The influence of body size and metamorphosis on limb regeneration in axolotls. Intended for Current Biology