Peter Reddien

Peter Reddien is a Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Core Member and Associate Director of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. He is also an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) since 2013. His research focuses on understanding how stem cells regulate regeneration of missing tissues in planarians, integrating molecular genetics, high-throughput sequencing, and RNA interference techniques. Key contributions include identifying stem cell regulatory mechanisms, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, and muscle-guided regeneration processes.

Education:

• PhD in 2002, MIT
• SB in Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 1996

Research Interests: Reddien’s work explores stem cell dynamics, tissue patterning, and regeneration in planarians. His lab studies the interplay between genetic networks (e.g., Wnt, Notch, BMP signaling) and environmental cues during regeneration. Recent breakthroughs include characterizing transcriptional regulators of stem cell identity and the role of muscle cells as instructive signals for tissue repair.

Publications Overview: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to understanding regeneration at molecular and cellular levels. Notable studies include the role of map3k1 in stem cell differentiation (2025), Notch-mediated neuron-glia coordination (2025), and the transcriptional atlas of planarian stem cells (2024).

Awards: HHMI Investigator (2013), recognizing his transformative work in regenerative biology.

Lab & Collaborations: The Reddien Lab at Whitehead Institute combines genomic tools with experimental embryology. Collaborations include single-cell profiling with computational biologists and functional genomics with molecular biologists.