Brunauer, Regina Research Assistant Professor

My research revolves around understanding how aging affects regeneration. I have addressed this question by investigating mesenchymal stem cell aging in humans and progeroid mice. In my current position as Research Assistant Professor, I am exploring the effects of aging and progeria on a new in vivo model for regeneration, the mouse digit tip, which involves regeneration of bone, nail, skin and vasculature, and requires not only stem cells, but also various other cell types to interact in a well-balanced and timely manner. I have recently established that aging delays bone regeneration in this model by attenuating both osteoclast and osteoprogenitor activity, and will now examine which specific aging processes impair osteoclast and osteoprogenitor recruitment, proliferation and differentiation, with the long term goal to improve fracture healing in the elderly.