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Research | GOLDSMITH LAB
All or our patients are growing. Indeed, it's
the sine qua non of pediatric medicine that distinguishes us from
all other physicians. The research efforts of our laboratory
center on understanding the biology of growth and regeneration.
Growth control and the development of proper size and form is a
fundamental problem for growing children, moreover multiple
pediatric diseases result in undergrowth, overgrowth or
dysregulated growth (i.e. structural birth defects). In addition,
while many animals are capable of extensive regeneration, the
ability of diseased or damaged tissues and organs to regenerate in
humans is quite limited.
We are using the zebrafish, Danio rerio, as a model system for
studying the biology of growth and regeneration. Current studies
are focused on: 1) Using fin overgrowth mutants already identified
in forward genetic screens (e.g. rapunzel) to help dissect the
genetics of growth control pathways; 2) Using forward genetic and
pharmacologic screens to identify novel pathways/molecules
important in organ regeneration, and; 3) Understanding how the
nutritional environment is integrated into an overall hierarchy of
growth regulatory signals.
Contact Information
Matthew I. Goldsmith, M.D.
Instructor in Pediatrics
Washington University School of Medicine
McDonnell Pediatric Research Building
660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8208
St. Louis, MO 63110
Email:
phone: (314) 286-2769
fax: (314) 2784
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SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
