Exploration of the California blackworm

Congratulations to Dr. Kathleen Tweeten, who is the recipient of a $10,000 Extramural Associates Research Development Award (EARDA), funded by the National Institutes of Health, for her pilot study, "Exploration of the California blackworm, Lumbriculus variegatus, as a model organism in which to study regeneration at cellular and molecular levels."

Dr. Tweeten's work will provide insights into the potential value of L. variegatus as a model system in which to study the regulation and mechanisms of regeneration. Compared to L. variegatus, the ability of humans to regenerate composite tissues such as limbs or organs is very limited. Why this ability to regenerate has been lost in humans is a key question for biologists as methods by which to restore function and structure to diseased or damaged human tissues are explored. While stem cell research and tissue engineering offer some promise for replacement of tissues in humans, further analysis of mechanisms regulating regeneration may offer alternative approaches. Much remains to be learned about the cellular and molecular activities occurring in skin and other tissues as wounds develop, inflammation ensues, and healing occurs. Cell migration, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling appear to play a role in regeneration of damaged tissue. Because formation of a wound is the first step in the regenerative process in Lumbriculus variegatus, proteomic analysis of tissues at various stages into regeneration in this organism will generate data that may be applicable to understanding wound healing and tissue regeneration in vertebrates such as humans. Insights into approaches for replacement of human tissues that have been injured or destroyed may be gained. The hope is that, in deciphering the genes and signals that are being expressed during regeneration in these animals, insights into the regenerative potential of mammalian cells will be gained.