# Developing a new chordate model for stem cell biology and regeneration

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA · 2022 · $183,927

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The goal of this grant is to adapt contemporary single cell resolution and genomic manipulation
tools to utilize the unique regenerative biology of the colonial ascidian species, Botryllus
schlosseri. The FOA we are responding to from ORIP has as its stated goal to create new and
innovative models for stem cell biology and regeneration, and Botryllus has a proven track
record of innovative studies and a wealth of biology that will be made accessible with these new
tools. Ascidians are chordates, and considered to be the closest living relatives to the
vertebrates. Species such as Ciona have become powerful models in dissecting early steps in
chordate embryogenesis due to their relative simplicity and rapid development, and share many
chordate-specific features, including early mechanisms underlying cell specification, as well as
clonal origins of multiple tissues. In addition to this close phylogenetic relationship, a subset of
ascidian species are colonial, and grow, not by increasing in size, but via a process of
regeneration- whereby entire bodies- including all cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine and
germline tissues- are regenerated, and in Botryllus this occurs every week in a synchronized
fashion, providing a novel model to study regeneration of all major organ systems in a chordate.
Colonial ascidians are the only chordates with the ability to regenerate every tissue and organ in
their body and unique life history characteristics make Botryllus a potentially outstanding model
for these studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10373777
- **Project number:** 1R21OD030520-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
- **Principal Investigator:** Anthony W De Tomaso
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $183,927
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-15 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10373777

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10373777, Developing a new chordate model for stem cell biology and regeneration (1R21OD030520-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10373777. Licensed CC0.

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