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Dr Caroline Beck

Email caroline.beck@otago.ac.nz

Tel +64 3 479 4109

Lab website

Teaching

Research interests

Tadpoles expressing GFP (green) next to their wild type siblings (yellow)As a developmental biologist, I am interested in how a single cell, the fertilised egg, progressively acquires the form and function of its parents over time by complex gene regulation. My lab is especially interested in the development of organs such as the vertebrate limb and eye and in the ability of some vertebrates to regenerate these organs. We use the South African Clawed frog Xenopus laevis as a model organism to ask questions about how complex structures are built and rebuilt during embryogenesis and regeneration following injury. Currently we are focussed on determining the origin and role of the skin microbiome in tadpole tail regeneration, and developing tadpole models of infant-onset genetic epilepsy using CRISPR/cas9 editing.

For more information about my research please see the Beck lab website

Current postgraduate students

  • Alastair Matheson-Grant (MSc Genetics) Functional analysis of genes associated with secondary neural tube development in Xenopus.
  • Jack O'Neill (MSc Genetics) Investigating a de novo variant of EEF1A2 which leads to Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy 33 (DEE33) using Xenopus laevis.

Current and potential future projects

  • Investigating spontaneous neural tube assembly as a new regenerative strategy for spinal cord regeneration
  • Developing pre-clinical models of genetic epilepsy
  • Linking the microbiome to regenerative ability

Recent research students

  • Sulagna Banerjee (PhD Genetics 2023) A Xenopus laevis tadpole model of epilepsy to test alternative therapeutic targets. (with Dr Paul Szyszka)
  • Cabriana Earl (BSc Hons Genetics 2022) Evaluating two novel variants as potential causes of epileptic seizures.
  • Campbell Nicholas (BSc Hons Genetics 2022) Investigating the role of TLR2 in Xenopus laevis tadpole tail regeneration.
  • Campbell Gilbert (MSc Genetics 2021) The microbiome, immune system and regeneration (with Xochitl Morgan, Microbiology)
  • Prashath Karunaraj (PhD Genetics 2021) How noggin-like proteins have evolved and how their functions have changed (with Peter Dearden, Biochemistry)
  • Fernando Miguez (PGDipSci Genetics 2020) Identifying the control mechanisms of secondary neurulation in Xenopus laevis
  • Matt Reily-Bell (MSc Genetics 2019) Understanding the molecular consequences of RECQL4 disruption in skeletal development (with Louise Bicknell, Pathology)
  • Thomas Devine (BSc Hons Microbiology 2018) The microbiome and regeneration (with Xochitl Morgan, Microbiology)
  • Thomas Bishop (PhD Genetics 2018) The molecular mechanism of Xenopus regeneration and its activation in mammals.
  • Morgan Jones (MSc Genetics) Global demethylation of blastema stem cells during zebrafish tail regeneration reveals new prospects for epigenetic study in regeneration (with Tim Hore, Anatomy)
  • Matt Reily-Bell (BSc Hons Genetics 2017) Crispr/cas9 disruption of cdt1 in Xenopus
  • Jessica Mckenzie (BSc Hons Genetics 2016) Investigating the evolution of Noggin-like genes and their relationship with axis patterning pathways.
  • Jack Foster (PGDipSci Genetics 2015) Role of calpain 8 in limb development and regeneration
  • Paulomi Mehta (PGDipSci Genetics 2015) Genetic regulation of proximodistal limb patterning by Fgfs.
  • Elisha Wang (PhD Genetics 2014): Roles and expression of Fgf/RTK signaling modulators, Sproutys and Sulfs, in Xenopus limb development and regeneration.
  • Samuel Keenan (MSc Genetics 2014) The influence of gremlin-induced BMP inhibition and subsequent associated genetic interactions in Xenopus laevis limb development.
  • Olivia Tidswell (BSc Hons Genetics 2014) Knowing your noggin from your trunk: how did the arthropod noggin-like proteins evolve? (With Liz Duncan and Peter Dearden)
  • Jessica Bromell (BSc Hons Genetics 2014) The roles of retinoic acid response element-adjacent genes in Xenopus laevis development
  • John McNally (MSc Genetics 2013) The role of Retinoic acid as a Morphogenic agent in Xenopus laevis Early Axis Formation and Limb Development
  • Jeremy Lynn (PGDipSci Genetics 2013) Characterization of Gremlin induced BMP inhibition during limb development
  • Amy Taylor (PhD Genetics 2013): The Role of Epigenetics in Amphibian Regeneration
  • Mythrayee Sundaresan (PGDipSci Anat 2012) The role of lgals9c-b and Xgalectin-IIa in the formation of pre-cartilage condensations during Xenopus laevis limb development
  • Sam Capon (MSc Genetics 2011) Characterising Cfm2, a novel gene involved in vertebrate development.
  • Elisha Wang (MSc Genetics 2011) Revised function of the BMP inhibitor Gremlin in Xenopus limb development and its potential in hindlimb regeneration.

Publications

Panthi, S., Chapman, P. A., Szyszka, P., & Beck, C. W. (2023). Characterisation and automated quantification of induced seizure-related behaviours in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Journal of Neurochemistry, 15836. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15836
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, D. T., Bromell, J. S., Day, R. C., McInnes, T., Ward, J. M., & Beck, C. W. (2022). Gene expression analysis of the Xenopus laevis early limb bud proximodistal axis. Developmental Dynamics, 251, 1880-1896. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.517
Journal - Research Article
Karunaraj, P., Tidswell, O., Duncan, E. J., Lovegrove, M. R., Jefferies, G., Johnson, T. K., Beck, C. W., & Dearden, P. K. (2022). Noggin proteins are multifunctional extracellular regulators of cell signaling. Genetics, 221(1), iyac049. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyac049
Journal - Research Article
Chapman, P. A., Gilbert, C. B., Devine, T. J., Hudson, D. T., Ward, J., Morgan, X. C., & Beck, C. W. (2022). Manipulating the microbiome alters regenerative outcomes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles via lipopolysaccharide signalling. Wound Repair & Regeneration. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/wrr.13003
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, D. T., Chapman, P. A., Day, R. C., Morgan, X. C., & Beck, C. W. (2021). Complete genome sequences of Kinneretia sp. strain XES5, Shinella sp. strain XGS7, and Vogesella sp. strain XCS3, isolated from Xenopus laevis skin. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 10(50), e01050-21. doi: 10.1128/mra.01050-21
Journal - Research Other
Beck, C. (2018). Recovering what was lost: Can morphogens scale to enable regeneration? In D. M. Gardiner (Ed.), Regenerative engineering and developmental biology: Principles and applications. (pp. 207-227). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Chapter in Book - Research
Beck, C. W. (2012). Studying regeneration in Xenopus. In S. Hoppler & P. D. Vize (Eds.), Xenopus protocols: Post-genomic approaches: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 917). (pp. 525-539). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_30
Chapter in Book - Research
Panthi, S., Chapman, P. A., Szyszka, P., & Beck, C. W. (2023). Characterisation and automated quantification of induced seizure-related behaviours in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Journal of Neurochemistry, 15836. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15836
Journal - Research Article
Chapman, P. A., Gilbert, C. B., Devine, T. J., Hudson, D. T., Ward, J., Morgan, X. C., & Beck, C. W. (2022). Manipulating the microbiome alters regenerative outcomes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles via lipopolysaccharide signalling. Wound Repair & Regeneration. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/wrr.13003
Journal - Research Article
Hudson, D. T., Bromell, J. S., Day, R. C., McInnes, T., Ward, J. M., & Beck, C. W. (2022). Gene expression analysis of the Xenopus laevis early limb bud proximodistal axis. Developmental Dynamics, 251, 1880-1896. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.517
Journal - Research Article
Karunaraj, P., Tidswell, O., Duncan, E. J., Lovegrove, M. R., Jefferies, G., Johnson, T. K., Beck, C. W., & Dearden, P. K. (2022). Noggin proteins are multifunctional extracellular regulators of cell signaling. Genetics, 221(1), iyac049. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyac049
Journal - Research Article
Bishop, T. F., & Beck, C. W. (2021). Bacterial lipopolysaccharides can initiate regeneration of the Xenopus tadpole tail. iScience, 24, 103281. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103281
Journal - Research Article
Keenan, S. R., & Beck, C. W. (2016). Xenopus limb bud morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics, 245(3), 233-243. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.24351
Journal - Research Article
Beck, C. W. (2015). Development of the vertebrate tailbud. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Developmental Biology, 4(1), 33-44. doi: 10.1002/wdev.163
Journal - Research Article
Wang, Y.-H., & Beck, C. (2015). Distinct patterns of endosulfatase genes expression during Xenopus laevis limb development and regeneration. Regeneration, 2(1), 19-25. doi: 10.1002/reg2.27
Journal - Research Article
Wang, Y.-H., Keenan, S. R., Lynn, J., McEwan, J. C., & Beck, C. W. (2015). Gremlin1 induces anterior–posterior limb bifurcations in developing Xenopus limbs but does not enhance limb regeneration. Mechanisms of Development, 138, 256-267. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2015.10.003
Journal - Research Article
Wang, Y.-H., & Beck, C. W. (2014). Distal expression of sprouty (spry) genes during Xenopus laevis limb development and regeneration. Gene Expression Patterns, 15(1), 61-66. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2014.04.004
Journal - Research Article
Jones, T. E. M., Day, R. C., & Beck, C. W. (2013). Attenuation of bone morphogenetic protein signaling during amphibian limb development results in the generation of stage-specific defects. Journal of Anatomy, 223(5), 474-488. doi: 10.1111/joa.12098
Journal - Research Article
Pietak, A., Ma, S., Beck, C. W., & Stringer, M. D. (2013). Fundamental ratios and logarithmic periodicity in human limb bones. Journal of Anatomy, 222(5), 526-537. doi: 10.1111/joa.12041
Journal - Research Article
Taylor, A. J., & Beck, C. W. (2012). Histone deacetylases are required for amphibian tail and limb regeneration but not development. Mechanisms of Development, 129(9-12), 208-218. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2012.08.001
Journal - Research Article
Day, R. C., & Beck, C. W. (2011). Transdifferentiation from cornea to lens in Xenopus laevis depends on BMP signalling and involves upregulation of Wnt signalling. BMC Developmental Biology, 11, 54. doi: 10.1186/1471-213x-11-54
Journal - Research Article
Lynch, J., McEwan, J., & Beck, C. W. (2011). Analysis of the expression of retinoic acid metabolising genes during Xenopus laevis organogenesis. Gene Expression Patterns, 11(1-2), 112-117. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2010.10.003
Journal - Research Article
McEwan, J., Lynch, J., & Beck, C. W. (2011). Expression of key retinoic acid modulating genes suggests active regulation during development and regeneration of the amphibian limb. Developmental Dynamics, 240(5), 1259-1270. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22555
Journal - Research Article
Barker, D. M., & Beck, C. W. (2009). Overexpression of the transcription factor msx1 is insufficient to drive complete regeneration of refractory stage Xenopus laevis hindlimbs. Developmental Dynamics, 238(6), 1366-1378. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21923
Journal - Research Article
Beck, C. W., Izpisúa Belmonte, J. C., & Christen, B. (2009). Beyond early development: Xenopus as an emerging model for the study of regenerative mechanisms. Developmental Dynamics, 238(6), 1226-1248. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21890
Journal - Research Article
Malloch, E. L., Perry, K. J., Fukui, L., Johnson, V. R., Wever, J., Beck, C. W., … Henry, J. J. (2009). Gene expression profiles of lens regeneration and development in Xenopus laevis. Developmental Dynamics, 238(9), 2340-2356. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21998
Journal - Research Article
Pearl, E. J., Barker, D., Day, R. C., & Beck, C. W. (2008). Identification of genes associated with regenerative success of Xenopus laevis hindlimbs. BMC Developmental Biology, 8, 66. doi: 10.1186/1471-213X-8-66
Journal - Research Article
Jarikji, Z. H., Vanamala, S., Beck, C. W., Wright, C. V. E., Leach, S. T., & Horb, M. E. (2007). Differential ability of Ptf1a and Ptf1a-VP16 to convert stomach, duodenum and liver to pancreas. Developmental Biology, 304, 786-799.
Journal - Research Article
Beck, C. W., Christen, B., Barker, D., & Slack, J. M. W. (2006). Temporal requirement for bone morphogenetic proteins in regeneration of the tail and limb of Xenopus tadpoles. Mechanisms of Development, 123, 674-688.
Journal - Research Article
Avaron, F., Thaeron-Antono, C., Beck, C., Borday-Birraux, V., Geraudie, J., Casane, D., & Laurenti, P. (2003). Comparison of even-skipped related gene expression pattern in vertebrates shows an association between expression domain loss and modification of selective constraints on sequences. Evolution & Development, 5(2), 145-156.
Journal - Research Article
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