Axolotls are uniquely able to completely regenerate the spinal cord after amputation.In this project, we investigate whether regeneration-inducing signals accelerating the cell cycle of ependymal cells can follow a reaction-diffusion process. We develop a computational model, validate it with experimental data, and show that the signal dynamics can be understood in terms of reaction-diffusion mechanism. By developing a theory of the regenerating outgrowth in the limit of fast reaction-diffusion, we demonstrate that control of regenerative response solely relies on cell-to-signal sensitivity and the signal reaction-diffusion characteristic length. This study lays foundations for further identification of the signal controlling regeneration of the spinal cord. 

Project partners

O. Chara (University of Nottingham and Instituto de Tecnología, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, Buenos Aires)

Related publications

1. V. Caliaro, D. Peurichard, O. Chara, How a reaction-diffusion signal can control spinal cord regeneration in axolotls: A modelling study, iScience (2024), link