Structural Regeneration
Why do only a few species, such as frog tadpoles or salamanders, regenerate their limbs? How do these animals restore a lost limb? What is different in mammals?
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Structural Regeneration Lab
We study the cellular and molecular principles that allow some vertebrates to regenerate entire limbs, while others, such as humans, cannot. Our work sits at the intersection of regeneration biology, bioengineering, and evolutionary biology, with the aim of uncovering fundamental principles that could one day enable mammalian limb regeneration.
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What we do
Our lab aims to explore new concepts and build a holistic, multi-scale understanding of how vertebrate limbs regenerate: how individual cells move, change state, and interact, and how these cellular behaviors collectively reconstruct complex structures.
To uncover these, we combine classical developmental biology with modern quantitative and experimental approaches, including:
· Single-cell and computational methods to dissect regeneration at cellular resolution
· Develop ex vivo and stem cell–based systems, including explants and organoids, to study regeneration outside the organism
· Comparative genomics and multi-omics across species
We primarily work with Xenopus laevis, mouse, and mouse and human stem cell–based systems. Our computational analyses extend across a much broader range of species, from axolotls to dolphins, to uncover evolutionary patterns underlying regenerative ability.
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Where we are
Our laboratory is based at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society (FML), located on the Max Planck Campus Tübingen. The campus hosts four research institutes and supports a vibrant, interdisciplinary scientific environment.
The FML is physically embedded within the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, enabling close collaboration and shared access to their facilities, technology platforms, and seminar series. Together, the institutes provide an exceptionally diverse research ecosystem, with work spanning more than 60 species. For more information, you can explore the official institute websites (Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society & Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen).
FUNDING
2025
Specialized signaling centers direct cell fate and spatial organization a mesodermal organoid model
Science Advances
Skoufa E¹, Zhong J¹, Hu K, Kahre O, Tsissios G, Carrao L, Herrera T, Dominquoz-Mantes A, Leleu M, Ibeas A, Jang H, Lutolf M, Weigert M, La Manno G, Ros M, Aztekin C*
¹Co-first authors and *Corresponding author
Tsissios G, Leleu M¹, Hu K¹, Demirtas AE¹, Hu H¹, Kawanishi T, Skoufa E, Valente A, Herrera A, Mery A, Noseda L, Ochi H, Sakar S, Tanaka M, Zenk F, Aztekin C*
¹Equal contribution and *Corresponding author
2023
Multi-species atlas resolves an axolotl limb development and regeneration paradox
Nature Communications
Zhong J¹, Aires R¹, Tsissios G, Skoufa E, Brandt K, Sandoval-Guzmán T*, and Aztekin C*
¹Co-first authors and *Co-corresponding authors
Aztekin C*, Hiscock TW*, Gurdon JB, Jullien J, Marioni JC, Simons BD
*Co-first authors
Aztekin C*, Hiscock TW*, Marioni JC, Gurdon JB, Simons BD and Jullien J
*Co-first authors
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (Lab members are listed in bold italics)
Kelly Hu
PhD Student
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Georgios Tsissios
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Jamie Kussmaul
Technician
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Atharva Valanju
PhD Student
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Karol Tchorz
PhD Student
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Sophie Weber
Bachelors Intern
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Silvia Da Pra
Postdoctoral Fellow
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Marion Leleu
Bioinformatician (Honorary member from EPFL/UNIL BICC)
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Can Aztekin
Max Planck Research Group Leader
Branco Weiss Fellow
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Since 2025, Can Aztekin has been a Max Planck Research Group Leader and head of the Structural Regeneration Laboratory at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society in Tübingen, Germany. He joined the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) as an ELISIR Scholar in 2021, where he established his first independent research group.
He received his BSc in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering (minor in Chemistry) from Sabanci University, Turkey, during which he was selected for the Harvard Stem Cell Institute Internship Program. He subsequently earned an MSc in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering from Koc University, working with Prof. Tamer Onder. He obtained his PhD in 2021 through the Wellcome Trust Developmental Mechanisms Programme at the University of Cambridge, UK, working with Professor Sir John Gurdon, jointly with Prof. Ben Simons and Dr. Jerome Jullien at the Gurdon Institute, where he initiated studies in regeneration. He has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Branco Weiss Fellowship 2022, the International Society of Regenerative Biology Rising Star Award 2025, and an ERC Starting Grant 2025.
His laboratory investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying limb regeneration across species. The group develops new model systems and integrates single-cell technologies with quantitative biology approaches to understand how complex tissues restore form and function, with the long-term goal of informing regenerative medicine.
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Team
APPLICATIONS
Join our lab
We welcome outstanding candidates at all career stages who are eager to contribute to our research mission. Our lab values individual responsibility, passion, and creativity.
We are happy to support the next generation of scientists. If you are interested in an internship in our lab, please contact can.aztekin@tuebingen.mpg.de, including:
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Your CV.
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A motivation letter explaining why you wish to do an internship with us.
We generally accept interns who can commit to at least 4 months. Shorter internships are only considered under exceptional circumstances.
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We welcome motivated MSc students interested in conducting their thesis work in our group. If you would like to apply, please contact can.aztekin@tuebingen.mpg.de, including:
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Your CV.
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A motivation letter explaining why you wish to pursue your MSc thesis with us.
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We encourage direct enquiries from prospective PhD students. To officially join the lab, you must apply through the IMPRS program, which admits students once per year.
To initiate a conversation, please send:
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Your CV.
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A motivation letter explaining why you wish to pursue your PhD in our lab.
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The names and email addresses of 1–2 referees who have agreed to provide recommendation letters.
Please reach out to can.aztekin@tuebingen.mpg.de.
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We are a highly interdisciplinary lab, and we are excited to welcome new team members who bring fresh perspectives and expertise.
We are happy to provide initial support, but candidates are expected to apply for external fellowships (e.g., EMBO, HFSP) to fund a significant portion of their salary. Laboratory research costs will be supported by the lab.
Applicants should:
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Have an excellent track record from their PhD or previous postdoctoral work.
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Have a first-author publication or preprint, or a manuscript close to submission.
Interested candidates should contact can.aztekin@tuebingen.mpg.de, including:
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Your CV.
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A motivation letter explaining why you would like to join our lab and proposing potential project ideas to initiate a conversation. (Project ideas are not binding and are expected to evolve during the application process.)
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The names and email addresses of 2–3 referees who have agreed to provide recommendation letters.
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Important Note
Please ensure that your application includes all requested documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.