# Quantitative dissection of the events that encode bone size and shape during regeneration

> **NIH NIH F32** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $74,992

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Mammals possess a limited compacity to regenerate appendages following traumatic injury and amputation,
including regenerating digit tips and healing of bone fractures. In contrast, zebrafish can regenerate entire
appendages following amputation. As in development, regenerated appendages are scaled appropriately to
body size. Extensive genetic and pharmacological experiments have established that canonical signaling
pathways, such as Fgf and Wnt, are reactivated following injury to promote the cell proliferation, migration, and
differentiation that drives regeneration of appendages. However, how these pathways encode size and shape
is unclear. This is due, in part, to the limited number of quantitative and dynamic descriptions of these signaling
pathways and their downstream cellular events during regeneration. To address these gaps in the
understanding of appendage scaling during regeneration, this proposal aims to develop a quantitative, live
imaging platform for zebrafish caudal fin regeneration. Specifically, Aim 1 will determine the role of extracellular
signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in encoding cell proliferation and bone size during fin ray regeneration. Aim 2
will define the role of negative feedback during fin regeneration and investigate whether this negative feedback
contributes to the robustness of this regeneration event. Collectively, this work will establish a quantitative
model for interrogating the cellular basis of size and shape control during regeneration. This work will be
conducted at Duke University under the mentorship of Dr. Di Talia and Dr. Poss. This is a highly collaborative
training environment that affords expertise in quantitative and regenerative biology. This proposed research
will be carried out alongside focused training in quantitative approaches, scientific writing, and mentorship.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10827914
- **Project number:** 5F32HD107853-03
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ashley Rich Baker
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $74,992
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-06-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10827914

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10827914, Quantitative dissection of the events that encode bone size and shape during regeneration (5F32HD107853-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10827914. Licensed CC0.

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