RESEARCH INTERESTS

Newts have the remarkable ability to regenerate several anatomical structures and organs following injury, including their limbs, spinal cords, hearts, tails, retinas, lenses, and upper and lower jaws.  During the initial phase of regeneration, the cells in the vicinity of the injury reverse the normal developmental process and once again become stem cells or progenitor cells.  This process, known as cellular dedifferentiation, produces the cells that will proliferate and later redifferentiate to form the regenerated structure or organ.  This degree of cellular plasticity is unique to vertebrates with marked regenerative abilities, such as newts, and is not observed in mammals.  My laboratory is interested in identifying the genes that regulate this cellular plasticity and other aspects of regeneration with the hope of someday using this knowledge to enhance the regenerative capacity in mammals, including humans.  We are especially interested in studying the molecular events that control spinal cord, heart, and limb regeneration.  (more)