Promoting tissue regeneration by controlling the immune system

Immune cells are now recognized as key players in tissue repair and regeneration. In particular, we have found that specific immune cell subsets are able to promote regeneration of various tissues in the mouse including skin, bone, and muscle. Therefore, one could promote accumulation of these immune cells at a site of tissue injury to enhance regeneration. In this project, the goal is to engineer hydrogel and drug delivery systems to increase the number of pro-regenerative immune cells at a site of injury. For example, hydrogels will be functionalized with immunomodulatory molecules such as cytokines, growth factors, or miRNAs and tested in mouse models of skin, bone, skeletal muscle (Martino’s group in ARMI), and cardiac injury (Lui’s group in CUHK). This project has the potential to generate novel regenerative medicine therapies. Monash Supervisor: A/Prof Mikaël Martino CUHK Supervisor: Prof Kathy Lui For more information on this project please contact A/Prof Mikael Martino