The Yun lab

Research Outlook

Humans exhibit rather limited capabilities for tissue repair and regeneration. In contrast, organisms with remarkable regenerative abilities can be found in nature. Among these, salamanders (such as newts and axolotls) are considered the champions of regeneration, being able to regrow an extraordinary range of complex structures including ocular tissues, tail, jaws, large sections of their heart, parts of their nervous system, and entire limbs throughout their life. As such, the salamander constitutes an ideal system in which to learn how accurate regeneration of body structures can be achieved.
Our lab aims to exploit this system in order to unveil the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying organ regeneration, determine how phylogenetic changes affect regenerative potential, and probe the link between regeneration and ageing.