The research project led by Professor José E. García Arrarás, from the Río Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR-RRP), has received a new grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue studies on the mechanisms of intestinal regeneration, using sea cucumbers—an echinoderm related to sea urchins and starfish—as a model organism.
The proposal, titled “A Blueprint to Regenerate the Intestine,” has been refinanced for an additional three-year period after receiving continuous support over the past six years. The new grant totals $558,750 and will allow continued research focused on understanding how some organisms regenerate internal tissues.
Dr. Angélica Varela Llavona, Chancellor of UPR-Río Piedras, stated that “the awarding of this new grant from the National Institutes of Health for the project led by Professor José E. García Arrarás is a source of deep pride for the Río Piedras Campus and for the entire University of Puerto Rico.”
“This important support,” she added, “reaffirms the excellence and relevance of the research conducted in our classrooms and laboratories, as well as the ability of our faculty to contribute, from Puerto Rico, to the generation of scientific knowledge with global impact. I congratulate Professor García Arrarás and his team for this extraordinary achievement, which reinforces our university’s commitment to excellence in research, innovation, and the training of future generations of scientists.”
“We celebrate with great pride this recognition, which reflects the talent and dedication that distinguish our university community. I congratulate Professor García Arrarás for this achievement that leaves a mark and reaffirms the impact and excellence we project as an institution,” said UPR President Dr. Zayira Jordán Conde.
A breeding ground for scientists
The project studies the process of intestinal regeneration in sea cucumbers, a marine organism capable of rebuilding this organ after losing it as a natural response to threats or physical trauma. This natural phenomenon, which does not occur spontaneously in humans, represents a key biological model for understanding how tissue regeneration processes in people might be improved.
The initiative promotes scientific advances and strengthens the research training of students at different academic levels. Currently, Dr. García-Arrarás’s team includes approximately 20 undergraduate students, two master’s students, and four doctoral students, who work on regeneration-related projects and meet weekly to present their progress.
In this environment, mentorship occurs both directly with the professor and among peers. While García-Arrarás guides students’ academic development, graduate students also help train undergraduates, assisting them in developing practical scientific research skills. “Everyone has a project with the goal that they take ownership of their research and carry it out,” explained Dr. García-Arrarás about his lab’s working style. According to the professor, this approach allows students to experience science in an active and applied way.
More about the research
To analyze this process, the research team uses advanced techniques such as nuclear RNA sequencing—which carries genetic information—and molecular visualization methods using the HCR-FISH tool. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a laboratory technique used to detect and locate a specific DNA sequence on a chromosome. These techniques make it possible to identify the cells and genes activated during intestinal regeneration, helping build a detailed map of the biological mechanisms involved in this process.
Beyond the scientific findings, the project’s impact is also reflected in the training of student researchers at UPR. Grant funds support the acquisition of specialized materials for experimentation and the participation of undergraduate and graduate students in the laboratory.
In the Julio García Díaz Biology Building—Lab 220—students learn to design experiments, prepare solutions, analyze data, and handle specialized scientific techniques. They also develop fundamental research skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving, often learning through experimentation and initial mistakes that are part of the scientific process.
These achievements reflect the scientific and educational impact of the work conducted in Dr. García-Arrarás’s laboratory. Through research on biological regeneration and mentorship of new generations of scientists, the project continues contributing both to the advancement of knowledge and to the development of scientific talent in Puerto Rico.