Malcolm Maden

Malcolm Maden is a Professor in the Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida. He is based in Bartram Hall and the Cancer & Genetics Research Complex in Gainesville, Florida.

Research Interests

• Developmental and regenerative biology of limb, lung, skin, and nervous system
• Retinoic acid signaling in pattern formation and regeneration
• Comparative regeneration using axolotls and spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus)
• Scar-free wound healing and multi-tissue regeneration in mammals

His overarching hypothesis is that regeneration recapitulates development and can be enhanced by re-activating embryonic signaling pathways, especially those mediated by retinoic acid.

Publication Trends

From 2020 to 2025 Maden has published extensively on the spiny mouse as a novel mammalian model for regeneration. His articles explore spinal cord recovery, cardiac repair, skin and appendage regeneration, neural stem cell abundance, and aging-related changes. A consistent theme is the comparison between scar-forming (mouse) and scar-free (spiny mouse) responses, illuminating molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.

Laboratory & Affiliations

• Principal Investigator, Maden Laboratory, University of Florida
• Affiliate, Cancer & Genetics Research Complex
• Member, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences