tissue remodelling

Dr Daniel Stratton (Lead)
Prof Chris Palmer
Dr Bhaven Patel
Mr Christopher Chamberlain
Dr Bruno Da Silva
Dr Chris Bax

M Jeddi (PhD student)
A Sheridan (Phd student)

Dr Dan Stratton has been engaged in characterising microvesicle biogenesis. This unique work lead to the discovery of two distinct microvesicle subtypes that are identifiable from one parent cell type depending on their pathways of biogenesis. The research involved describing their distinct properties such as protein profile, size and receptor expression and how this relates to their biogenesis. This research also discovered for the first time that microvesicles carry calcium as cargo.

Applying the field of microvesicles to tissue regeneration, the RMRG aims to better understand the molecular and biochemical principles underling planarian tissue redistribution, regeneration and apply them to Human medicine.

Key objectives:

  1. To elucidate the role of microvesicles in planaria and Human regeneration.
  2. To identify Human homologues to protein expression during planaria regeneration and apply the mechanisms of their expression to human cells.
  3. To discover the processes governing cellular redistribution according to their scale.
  4. To develop and employ the necessary tools to conduct the research.

Microvesicles have been shown to be implicated in a wide variety of cellular functions including, apoptosis, differentiation, proliferation and metastasis.

RMRG will be conducting tissue repair work using the 3D printing process. In conjunction with our other research interests this offers exciting possibilities into Human regenerative medicine.