Understanding how limbs develop and regenerate
Mechanisms of skeletal patterning during limb development and regeneration
This study is looking at how limbs grow and heal, especially in kids with birth defects, by learning from axolotl salamanders that can regrow their limbs, to find out how certain signals in the body might help with healing and could lead to new treatments for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10794255 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind limb development and regeneration, focusing on congenital defects that affect children. By studying axolotl salamanders, which can regenerate limbs, the research aims to uncover how specific signaling molecules, like retinoic acid, influence the regeneration process. The team will utilize advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in connective tissue cells during limb regeneration. This work could provide valuable insights into potential regenerative therapies for humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children with congenital limb defects or those interested in regenerative therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with non-congenital limb issues or those outside the pediatric age range may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for congenital limb defects and improve regenerative medicine approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding limb regeneration in animals, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Northeastern University — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monaghan, James R — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Monaghan, James R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.