Identifying the origins of cancer resistance in salamanders

Both cancer and regeneration require that cells must change their characteristics in order to reach a new functional/dysfunctional state. A common method to accomplish this feat is the use of cellular dedifferentiation. Defining cells in a dedifferentiated state is difficult and this project takes a new angle--to use image-based flow cytometry to use morphological characteristics of cells to both sorts and characterize them.

Not all arms and legs are created equal! In fact, salamander arms and legs are able to perfectly regenerate after amputation. Obviously human arms and legs are unable to achieve this remarkable feat. We are working on understanding how salamanders are able to regenerate limbs and also why humans are unable to do so.
Our focus in this project is on understanding the cells that orchestrate regeneration. There are two major ways to study cells–looking at them under a microscope or using molecular tools that allow one to gain information while not seeing the cells. However, an entirely new type of instrument has been made that let’s one take a picture of the cell and collect information using these molecular tools. This proposal is designed to take advantage of this new technology.
Since this technology is so new, it will also be used by many researchers at Lund University, enabling studies across various fields to gain a new understanding of cells.