Osnabrueck University (UOS)
Osnabrueck, Germany
Project description
Spiny mice (Acomys) regenerate their skin, including hair follicles, and composite tissues containing cartilage, muscles and nerves, in a scar-free manner. In this project, we will identify and characterize novel gene functions that occurred as part of genomic innovations in spiny mice. We will use spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing datasets in a comparative approach with spiny mice and their non-regenerating relatives, house mice (Mus) and gerbils (Meriones), to identify Acomys-specific gene expression patterns activated upon injury. The ultimate aim of the project is to find ways to activate regenerative traits in normally scarring/fibrotic injury models, such as mouse and human skin.
Doctoral Candidate
Vista Tirandazi
Principal Investigator
Kerstin Bartscherer, PhD
Professor of Animal Physiology at the Faculty for Biology/Chemistry, Osnabrueck University (https://www.biologie.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/biology.html), Germany
Previous positions at the Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research (https://www.hubrecht.eu/), Utrecht, The Netherlands, and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine (https://www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de/2377/en), Muenster, Germany.
Email: kerstin.bartscherer(at)uni-osnabrueck.de
Research in the Bartscherer lab
Research in the Bartscherer lab is focused on skin regeneration and heart repair, using spiny mice (Acomys) as a new model organism. We also work with planarians to understand principles of stem cell-based regeneration.
Visit the group homepage: https://www.biologie.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/research/research_groups/animal_physiology/prof_kerstin_bartscherer.html
Our group is also part of CellNanOs (https://www.cellnanos.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/home.html) and has access to its fantastic state-of-the Art imaging facilities (https://www.ibios.uni-osnabrueck.de/)