The MDIBL Center for Comparative Biology of Tissue Repair, Regeneration and Aging - OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY
Limited regeneration of damaged organs and tissues in humans leads to chronic disease and degeneration,
while in many invertebrates and lower vertebrates, cellular regeneration repairs and preserves tissue function
throughout the lifespan. COBRE Phases I and II Comparative Biology of Tissue Repair, Regeneration and Aging,
played a central role in establishing the Kathryn W. Davis Center for Regenerative Biology and Aging (Davis
Center) at the MDI Biological Laboratory (MDIBL) as a leading institute in Comparative Biology. The Davis Center
was founded on the principle that comparative studies of diverse animal models would lead to a mechanistic
understanding of tissue and organ regeneration and identify key points of intervention to improve regeneration
in human tissues. In addition, Davis Center research has focused on mechanisms of aging using multiple
organisms to learn how cellular anabolic and catabolic pathways may be linked to extension of healthspan.
Comparative studies such as these provide a screening platform and rational foundation for development of
regenerative medicine therapies, including small molecule drug candidates capable of stimulating tissue
regeneration and slowing or reversing aging-induced degenerative changes in patients.
COBRE Phases I and II supported eight early-career Project Leaders and one mid-career Project Leader. Six
Project Leaders graduated with major independent grant support and the most recent COBRE recruit, Prayag
Murawala, has achieved significant professional success and is on a path to independent R01 support. Past and
current COBRE Project Leaders have achieved multiple professional milestones in publications, grants, patents,
new disease models and research tools, and formation of an IDeA program/Maine state government partnership
that allowed MDIBL to obtain $3M in voter-approved state bond funding to expand research infrastructure.
COBRE Phase III will continue to build the research infrastructure of the Davis Center by establishing self-
sustaining core facilities and funding pilot programs in Aging and Regeneration research. Essential core services
will be provided to COBRE graduates, MDIBL investigators, visiting scientists, pilot project awardees, MDIBL
course participants from INBRE network institutions, and investigators in Northeast region (NER) IDeA states.
Pilot project funding and imaging technology access grants will be made available to all investigators in NER
IDeA states. COBRE Phase III will greatly enhance the development of the Davis Center and MDIBL, which in
turn will ensure the continued enhancement of the biomedical research environment in Maine.
