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HEDoctoral network2023–2027

REGENERATE-IT · Learning from animals how to regenerate: multidisciplinary training programme in regenerative biology

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-03-01 → 2027-02-28
EU contribution
€2,747,621
Participants
29
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Learning from animals how to regenerate: multidisciplinary training programme in regenerative biology

Regenerative medicine holds transformative potential for treating injuries, degenerative diseases, and aging-related conditions. However, a critical gap remains in understanding the biological mechanisms that enable certain animals to regenerate complex tissues and organs-a capability humans largely lack. The REGENERATE-IT project, funded under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, addresses this gap by studying regenerative processes in diverse animal models, including zebrafish, salamanders, and planarians. By integrating comparative biology, genomics, and bioengineering, the project aims to uncover universal principles of regeneration that could inform new therapeutic strategies for human health. The project’s objectives are twofold: • Scientific: Decipher the molecular, cellular, and evolutionary underpinnings of regeneration to identify pathways that could be harnessed for medical applications. • Training: Develop a multidisciplinary cohort of researchers skilled in cutting-edge techniques, from single-cell sequencing to advanced imaging, fostering innovation in regenerative biology. By bridging fundamental research and translational applications, REGENERATE-IT aligns with the EU’s strategic priorities in health innovation and sustainable biotechnology, contributing to the European Health Union and Green Deal agendas.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The REGENERATE-IT Network brings together a full spectrum of disciplines – from fundamental to applied research – to train the next generation of researchers in regenerative biology and adjacent fields. While the natural regenerative ability of humans is limited, some animals have remarkable regenerative capacity. For example, planarian flatworms can restore all body parts from small pieces of tissue, salamanders can grow back lost limbs and repair damaged eyes, and zebrafish can regenerate their heart and fins. By identifying the common biological principles underlying the regenerative processes in these different animal models, we can learn a great deal on how to improve regenerative interventions in humans. Currently, regenerative animal models are studied in isolation, preventing the discovery of such shared mechanisms, and the REGENERATE-IT Network fills this gap. ESRs trained by REGENERATE-IT will obtain a broad and unique understanding of the fundamentals of regenerative biology and of the needs of research in regenerative medicine. The REGENERATE-IT Network therefore includes scientists working on regenerative model organisms such as flatworms, cnidarians, crustaceans, amphibians and zebrafish; stem cell scientists working on mouse and human models; scientists with impressive track records in translational research and experience with clinical trials; and experts in key technologies such as genomics, single cell sequencing, imaging and drug screening. REGENERATE-IT will train 10 ESRs and 1 associated doctoral researcher through research, secondments to other laboratories, consortium meetings, and workshops covering a wide range of topics. In addition to consolidating European strengths in regenerative biology, and training a cohort of next-generation scientists capable of cross-disciplinary research, REGENERATE-IT will combine and deliver theoretical and technological breakthroughs, and advance the frontiers of regenerative biology and medicine.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS GRONINGEN · GroningenCoordinatorNetherlands
  • BIOMED CENTRAL LIMITED · W1t 4lbUnited Kingdom
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
  • ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE LYON · LyonFrance
  • FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR MOLEKULARE PATHOLOGIE GESELLSCHAFT MBH · WienAustria
  • INSTITUT FUER MOLEKULARE BIOTECHNOLOGIE GMBH · WienAustria
  • KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET · STOCKHOLMSweden
  • KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNDenmark
  • M-SQUARED LASERS LIMITED · GLASGOWUnited Kingdom
  • MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV · MUNCHENGermany
  • MONASH UNIVERSITY · VictoriaAustralia
  • N.V. Nederlandsch Octrooibureau · The HagueNetherlands
  • OSPEDALE SAN RAFFAELE SRL · MilanoItaly
  • PLATEFORME EUROPEENNE DES FEMMES SCIENTIFIQUES AISBL · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium
  • Pfizer bv · Capelle Aan Den IjsselNetherlands
  • RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN · GroningenNetherlands
  • SINGLE CELL DISCOVERIES BV · UtrechtNetherlands
  • STICHTING WORLD DUCHENNE ORGANIZATION · VeenendaalNetherlands
  • Stichting Sanquin Bloedvoorziening · AmsterdamNetherlands
  • THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · OxfordUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · ManchesterUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MODENA E REGGIO EMILIA · ModenaItaly
  • UNIVERSITA VITA-SALUTE SAN RAFFAELE · MilanoItaly
  • UNIVERSITAET BERN · BernSwitzerland
  • UNIVERSITAET OSNABRUECK · OsnabrueckGermany
  • UNIVERSITAT WIEN · WienAustria
  • UNIVERSITE COTE D'AZUR · NiceFrance
  • UNIVERSITEIT HASSELT · HasseltBelgium
  • ZECLINICS SL · SANT FELIU DE LLOBREGATSpain

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union