Regeneration: Phenomena to Mechanisms

SCRB 111 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course emphasizes the unique biology of animals that can regrow large body parts with perfection. Students will learn about the vast diversity of regenerative prowess across the animal kingdom. The goal will be to extract generalizable principles whereby super-regenerators activate and execute response pathways that enable them to create not only new tissues, but also to organize and shape them to replicate what was lost. We will analyze both invertebrate and vertebrate examples. The course will highlight regenerative strategies used by super-regenerators, contrasting them to repair mechanisms that operate in other species with more limited regenerative prowess. Synthesizing what we learn, the class will culminate in using our knowledge of super-regenerator biology to design hypotheses and strategies for applying these insights to improve regeneration in humans.   

            The course organization follows the rough sequence of events that occur following loss of a body part. Lectures will provide foundational information and are typically scheduled for Tuesday class. Students will present on original research papers, which are chosen to illustrate core principles covered in lecture, to hone their comprehension, synthesis, and presentation skills. We will also consider experimental design and big-picture relevance to the field and, ultimately, to human medicine. This course will also emphasize scientific communication, particularly to a broader audience. 

Course Notes

Students will be engaged in group work throughout the semester. As a final project, they will write and produce short videos centered on student-selected topics, and the course will culminate with a class-wide viewing event.

Recommended Prep

SCRB 10 or equivalent.