Fibrosis and regeneration are two very distinct responses to injury across a variety of species. For example, most human tissues develop a fibrotic scar when damaged. On the other hand, organisms like the newt are capable of regenerating a plethora of organs such as their limbs, heart, and parts of the eye including the retina […]
BRIII-04: Investigating the Role of Ephrin/Eph Signaling in Newt Lens Regeneration
Newts are amazing amphibians that are capable of regenerating many body parts including their limbs, brain, heart, and many eye parts. Specifically, our lab focuses on the newts’ ability to regenerate their lens. Following removal of the lens, cells from the upper portion of the iris (dorsal iris) lose their identity as iris cells and […]
C02: The Role of Macrophages in Newt Lens Regeneration
Cataract surgery has drastically improved in the past decades and improved the standard of living for millions of individuals across the globe. Despite these amazing strides, secondary cataracts occurs at a staggeringly high rate, with children being at the greatest risk of undergoing a harmful fibrotic response after the surgery and additional complications. Interestingly, organisms […]
CSIII-01: Uncovering the Newt’s Regenerative Secrets
Over 14 million people in the United States are currently living with cancer, a disease not limited to humans. In fact, several other animals elicit the growth of tumors when exposed to cancer-causing compounds commonly referred to as carcinogens. However, the newt, a type of salamander, can remain cancer-free when exposed to carcinogenic substances at […]
C01: In-vivo Imaging of Newt Lens Regeneration: Novel Insights in Molecular, Cellular, and Functional Mechanisms
Adult newts are amazing animals that are able to regenerate many parts of their body. Lens regeneration is one of the most significant among all other forms of regeneration in the newt since the lens is able to repeatedly regenerate a perfectly functional lens regardless of injury, frequency of lens removal, or newt’s age. Optical […]