Joshua D. Currie

Joshua D. Currie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Wake Forest University, where he leads the Currie Lab focused on regenerative and developmental biology. His lab is located at Wake Downtown in Winston-Salem, NC, within the Innovation Quarter, adjacent to the Wake Forest School of Medicine and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Currie earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed postdoctoral research at the Center for Regenerative Therapies in Dresden, Germany. His research centers on understanding how tissues regenerate, using the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) as a model system. He investigates the spatiotemporal coordination of cells during limb and tail regeneration, particularly the formation and function of the blastema—a mass of progenitor cells that rebuilds missing structures.

His lab combines live imaging, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, ex vivo cell biology, and single-cell transcriptomics to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms of regeneration. A key goal is to compare regenerative processes in axolotls with fibrotic wound healing in mammals to identify therapeutic targets for improving human tissue repair.

The recent publications of Dr. Currie reflect a strong trend in regeneration biology, cell dynamics, and molecular control of tissue morphogenesis. His work spans from fundamental cell biological mechanisms in Drosophila to cutting-edge regeneration studies in vertebrates, demonstrating a deep integration of model systems and methodologies. The interdisciplinary nature of his research bridges developmental biology, cell biology, and translational regenerative medicine.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards explicitly mentioned in the text.

Dr. Currie advises graduate and undergraduate researchers in his lab, though specific student names are not listed. His lab receives research funding that supports advanced imaging and molecular biology work, likely through federal or private grants, though specific grants are not detailed. He actively recruits new team members and emphasizes core values such as collaboration, rigor, and inclusivity.

The Currie Lab is embedded in a vibrant research ecosystem at Wake Forest, with strong ties to regenerative medicine initiatives. The lab’s location in the Innovation Quarter enables close interaction with clinicians and engineers, enhancing the translational potential of their discoveries. The lab also promotes open science through shared resources and protocols.