Research Fellow Dr Alasdair Wood spoke on how we are now living longer, there is more awareness on how our cells replace and restore themselves, and how the body has a potential to heal itself.
The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute is a scientific research organisation based at Monash University in Clayton; the organisation is doing investigative and ground-breaking research on a variety of medical fields, using regeneration of human tissue and organs to address various illnesses and diseases. It is one of the largest regenerative medicine and stem cell research hubs in the world.
The aim of ARMI is to create the technology and therapies that will be able to prevent, halt and reverse damage to organs and tissues due to disease, injury and genetic conditions. This will provide treatments for conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, diabetes type 1, musculo-skeletal conditions and cardiovascular diseases.
Alasdair’s research takes several cues from nature:
- how the starfish can regenerate a limb
- how Alexolotl can regenerate limbs and digits
- how lizards can regenerate tails.
He described how human heart, brain and stem cells can regenerate, and about the exciting new organ engineering programmes.
Alasdair is par)
t of the Currie group, which studies the biological mechanisms of the zebrafish, a fresh water fish that is native to South East Asia. Zebrafish are being used to study the effects of muscular dystrophy, and the extent to which muscles can heal themselves.
t of the Currie group, which studies the biological mechanisms of the zebrafish, a fresh water fish that is native to South East Asia. Zebrafish are being used to study the effects of muscular dystrophy, and the extent to which muscles can heal themselves.He also told us about the upcoming open day at the research laboratory on Tuesday 6th August, which is sure to interest several members: The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute officially opened on April 2009. It is a $153 million medical research centre based at the Monash University Clayton Campus.