Project R-11644

Can tissue regeneration be induced via redox manipulation? An indepth characterization of the redox signature during the initial steps of regeneration. (Research)

A key aim of regenerative medicine is to elicit regeneration in tissues with little or no regenerative capacities. For this, it is crucial to understand the functional biology of stem cells and their communication strategies. In humans, the restoration of damaged body parts is limited, but animals such as flatworms can undergo complete tissue regeneration. We will use this attractive feature to address one of the most challenging tasks in regenerative biology: to understand the initial signals of regeneration. In previous research, we demonstrated that redox molecules and the associated signaling events are essential elements in modulating and launching regenerative processes. The current project proceeds on these findings and aims to answer existing research gaps concerning the nature of the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) invoked, their site of production, concentration and spreading; and the downstream cellular signaling events involved in stem cell functioning. The project will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the meticulously regulated cell fate decisions and how their imbalance leads to adverse responses. New insights on the precise role and impact of redox molecules in (and on) stem cells, which are essential for lifelong tissue homeostasis and regeneration, will be of significant interest to the field.

01 January 2021 - 31 December 2024