The Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine (CRBM) was established in 2001 through a grant from the State of Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. It is a multidisciplinary collaboration between the School of Science and the School of Medicine on the Indianapolis campus of Indiana University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The administrative home of the Center is the Department of Biology (www.biology.iupui.edu) of the School of Science (www.science.iupui.edu). In 2007, the CRBM was designated as one of a cluster of multidisciplinary Signature Centers on the IUPUI campus.

The CRBM has three missions:

• Multidisciplinary research aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of natural tissue, organ and appendage regeneration in a variety of animal models, and the translation of basic research findings into regenerative medicine therapies.
• Graduate education leading to the MS and PhD degrees in regenerative biology and medicine.
• Technology transfer, making the tools and results of our basic and clinical research available for commercialization.

The Center has over 35 internationally recognized faculty representing nine regenerative biology and medicine research clusters:

• Appendage Regeneration
• Hematopoietic and Cardiovascular Regeneration
• Musculoskeletal Regeneration
• Neural and Endocrine Regeneration
• Plant Regeneration
• Regeneration and Cancer
• Biomaterials and Chemical Biology in Regeneration
• Bioinformatics and Systems Biology in Regeneration
• Bioethical Issues in Regeneration

The Center has several unique features that give it exceptional strength.

• First, it is comprehensive in its range of research foci on regeneration.
• Second, its research incorporates organisms such as amphibians and plants, which have much more extensive powers of regeneration than mammals, and can thus teach us much about the secrets of regeneration.
• Third, we collaborate with the Indiana University Cancer Center to investigate the role of stem cells in the genesis of cancer.
• Fourth, we have a strong contingent of investigators in biomaterials and chemical biology, which are of great importance to regenerative medicine.
• Fifth, we have a strong bioinformatics and systems biology group to analyze genomic and proteomic elements and networks in regenerating systems, allowing the formulation of new hypotheses.
• Sixth, we have direct involvement of clinical faculty in regenerative medicine.
• Seventh, the Center collaborates with the Indiana University Center for Bioethics to address bioethical issues in regenerative biology and medicine.