Regeneration Across Complex Living Systems: From Regenerating Microbiomes to Ecosystems Resiliency (Oct 2018, Woods Hole, USA)

The Marine Biological Laboratory (courtesy of the MBL)

This ISHPSSB off-year workshop focused on understanding the phenomenon of regeneration across complex living systems, asking the question of how regeneration has been understood, defined, and utilized in scientific research at different scales of living systems, both now and in the past. The workshop began with the premise that all complex living systems have some capacity to repair and to maintain themselves in the face of events that cause disturbances or damage. For example, microbial communities can regenerate to achieve the same function even as species composition changes, spinal neurons in a lamprey can regenerate function even though their cellular wiring changes, and ecosystems can maintain a level of resiliency in the face of changing conditions. In all instances, while these biological systems undergo stress and damage, their parts can coordinate responses to provide repair. But do we mean the same thing by regeneration in each case? How do regenerating parts “know” how to cooperate to make the individuals and systems healthy and whole again? How does an understanding of one level inform the others? What does regeneration, particularly across levels, mean for conceptions of individuality?

Fontispiece of the Lillie building

Over the course of two days, participants in the workshop explored the historical, philosophical, and scientific foundations of regeneration across living systems. The organizers had welcomed papers that address any aspect of regeneration at any level of living systems. Kate MacCord (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) was the contact for any questions about the workshop. There was a pre-registration for those planning a presentation and/or would like to request travel support. Presenters whose abstracts are accepted will receive access to full travel funding. Travel support for those not presenting will be available on an as-needed basis, from limited funding.

When: October 22 & 23, 2018
Where: Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA
Submission Due Date: 11:59pm EST, July 15^th, 2018

Kate MacCord & Kathryn Maxson-Jones
Organizers

There was a workshop report in the Fall 2018 ISHPSSB newsletter.