Organ Regeneration: Pronephric/Embryonic Kidney Regeneration

The objective of this project is to understand a novel aspect of organ regeneration: the replacement of injured renal tissues. Accordingly, members of our lab are examining the mechanisms utilized to replace the embryonic excretory system. For centuries researchers have puzzled over how body parts are created and patterned during development and, in some instances, are able to regenerate after damage, loss, or injury. Despite much progress in these areas of study, the underlying mechanisms mediating organ regeneration continues to be central to scientific discussions. To begin to elucidate the potential regenerative processes of renal tissue, our laboratory examines the processes and events necessary for regenerating the relatively simple embryonic kidney, the pronephros. Capitalizing on the advantages our model system, combined with our previously described interests in nephrogenesis (kidney development), we aim to investigate the processes used during the regeneration and patterning of a simple organ system. Because the lab is dedicated to merging molecular and embryologic approaches to better understand the mechanisms controlling the formation of complex structures, this research will provide pivotal information necessary to advance our current understanding of the common themes found in both renal development and regeneration. Our preliminary studies demonstrate the embryonic kidney has the capacity to repair itself after mechanical injury. Thus, we see a tremendous opportunity to build on this work in order to gain novel insights into a problem of high clinical and basic interest: organ regeneration using a relatively simple, but highly versatile, renal model system.