Associate Professor Caroline Beck, Our People, Department of Zoology

Teaching

CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology
GENE 223 Developmental and Applied Genetics
GENE 314 Developmental Genetics
GENE 360 Extension Topics and Research Skills
ZOOL 221 Animal Designs for Living

Research interests

As a developmental biologist, I am interested in how a single cell, the fertilised egg, progressively acquires the form and function of its parents over time by complex gene regulation. My lab is especially interested in the development of organs such as the vertebrate limb and eye and in the ability of some vertebrates to regenerate these organs. We use the South African Clawed frog Xenopus laevis as a model organism to ask questions about how complex structures are built and rebuilt during embryogenesis and regeneration following injury. Currently we are focussed on determining the origin and role of the skin microbiome in tadpole tail regeneration, and developing tadpole models of infant-onset genetic epilepsy using CRISPR/cas9 editing.

For more information about my research please see the Beck lab website.

Current postgraduate students

Alastair Matheson-Grant (MSc Genetics) Functional analysis of genes associated with secondary neural tube development in Xenopus.
Jack O'Neill (MSc Genetics) Investigating a de novo variant of EEF1A2 which leads to Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy 33 (DEE33) using Xenopus laevis.

Current and potential future projects

Investigating spontaneous neural tube assembly as a new regenerative strategy for spinal cord regeneration
Developing pre-clinical models of genetic epilepsy
Linking the microbiome to regenerative ability

Recent research students

Sulagna Banerjee (PhD Genetics 2023) A Xenopus laevis tadpole model of epilepsy to test alternative therapeutic targets. (with Dr Paul Szyszka)
Cabriana Earl (BSc Hons Genetics 2022) Evaluating two novel variants as potential causes of epileptic seizures.
Campbell Nicholas (BSc Hons Genetics 2022) Investigating the role of TLR2 in Xenopus laevis tadpole tail regeneration.
Campbell Gilbert (MSc Genetics 2021) The microbiome, immune system and regeneration (with Xochitl Morgan, Microbiology)
Prashath Karunaraj (PhD Genetics 2021) How noggin-like proteins have evolved and how their functions have changed (with Peter Dearden, Biochemistry)
Fernando Miguez (PGDipSci Genetics 2020) Identifying the control mechanisms of secondary neurulation in Xenopus laevis
Matt Reily-Bell (MSc Genetics 2019) Understanding the molecular consequences of RECQL4 disruption in skeletal development (with Louise Bicknell, Pathology)
Thomas Devine (BSc Hons Microbiology 2018) The microbiome and regeneration (with Xochitl Morgan, Microbiology)
Thomas Bishop (PhD Genetics 2018) The molecular mechanism of Xenopus regeneration and its activation in mammals.
Morgan Jones (MSc Genetics) Global demethylation of blastema stem cells during zebrafish tail regeneration reveals new prospects for epigenetic study in regeneration (with Tim Hore, Anatomy)
Matt Reily-Bell (BSc Hons Genetics 2017) Crispr/cas9 disruption of cdt1 in Xenopus
Jessica Mckenzie (BSc Hons Genetics 2016) Investigating the evolution of Noggin-like genes and their relationship with axis patterning pathways.
Jack Foster (PGDipSci Genetics 2015) Role of calpain 8 in limb development and regeneration
Paulomi Mehta (PGDipSci Genetics 2015) Genetic regulation of proximodistal limb patterning by Fgfs.
Elisha Wang (PhD Genetics 2014): Roles and expression of Fgf/RTK signaling modulators, Sproutys and Sulfs, in Xenopus limb development and regeneration.
Samuel Keenan (MSc Genetics 2014) The influence of gremlin-induced BMP inhibition and subsequent associated genetic interactions in Xenopus laevis limb development.
Olivia Tidswell (BSc Hons Genetics 2014) Knowing your noggin from your trunk: how did the arthropod noggin-like proteins evolve? (With Liz Duncan and Peter Dearden)
Jessica Bromell (BSc Hons Genetics 2014) The roles of retinoic acid response element-adjacent genes in Xenopus laevis development
John McNally (MSc Genetics 2013) The role of Retinoic acid as a Morphogenic agent in Xenopus laevis Early Axis Formation and Limb Development
Jeremy Lynn (PGDipSci Genetics 2013) Characterization of Gremlin induced BMP inhibition during limb development
Amy Taylor (PhD Genetics 2013): The Role of Epigenetics in Amphibian Regeneration
Mythrayee Sundaresan (PGDipSci Anat 2012) The role of lgals9c-b and Xgalectin-IIa in the formation of pre-cartilage condensations during Xenopus laevis limb development
Sam Capon (MSc Genetics 2011) Characterising Cfm2, a novel gene involved in vertebrate development.
Elisha Wang (MSc Genetics 2011) Revised function of the BMP inhibitor Gremlin in Xenopus limb development and its potential in hindlimb regeneration.

Tweets by Frog_squisher

Publications

Chapman, P. A., Hudson, D., Morgan, X. C., & Beck, C. W. (2024). The role of family and environment in determining the skin bacterial communities of captive aquatic frogs, Xenopus laevis. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, fiae131. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiae131 Journal - Research Article

Banerjee, S., Szyszka, P., & Beck, C. W. (2024). Knockdown of NeuroD2 leads to seizure-like behaviour, brain neuronal hyperactivity and a leaky blood-brain barrier in a Xenopus laevis tadpole model of DEE75. Genetics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyae085 Journal - Research Article

Murillo, J., Campbell-Thompson, E., Bishop, T. F., Beck, C. W., & Spencer, H. G. (2023). Report of bilateral gynandromorphy in a Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) from Colombia. Journal of Field Ornithology, 94(4), 12. doi: 10.5751/JFO-00392-940412 Journal - Research Other

Panthi, S., Chapman, P. A., Szyszka, P., & Beck, C. W. (2023). Characterisation and automated quantification of induced seizure-related behaviours in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Journal of Neurochemistry, 15836. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15836 Journal - Research Article

Hudson, D. T., Bromell, J. S., Day, R. C., McInnes, T., Ward, J. M., & Beck, C. W. (2022). Gene expression analysis of the Xenopus laevis early limb bud proximodistal axis. Developmental Dynamics, 251, 1880-1896. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.517 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

2023

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

2022

Journal - Research Article

Karunaraj, P., Tidswell, O., Duncan, E. J., Lovegrove, M. R., Jefferies, G., Johnson, T. K., Beck, C. W., & Dearden, P. K. (2022). Noggin proteins are multifunctional extracellular regulators of cell signaling. Genetics, 221(1), iyac049. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyac049

Chapman, P. A., Gilbert, C. B., Devine, T. J., Hudson, D. T., Ward, J., Morgan, X. C., & Beck, C. W. (2022). Manipulating the microbiome alters regenerative outcomes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles via lipopolysaccharide signalling. Wound Repair & Regeneration, 30, 636-651. doi: 10.1111/wrr.13003

2021

Journal - Research Article

Bishop, T. F., & Beck, C. W. (2021). Bacterial lipopolysaccharides can initiate regeneration of the Xenopus tadpole tail. iScience, 24, 103281. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103281

Journal - Research Other

Hudson, D. T., Chapman, P. A., Day, R. C., Morgan, X. C., & Beck, C. W. (2021). Complete genome sequences of Kinneretia sp. strain XES5, Shinella sp. strain XGS7, and Vogesella sp. strain XCS3, isolated from Xenopus laevis skin. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 10(50), e01050-21. doi: 10.1128/mra.01050-21

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Mulligan, M. R., Jenkins, D. E., Damsteegt, E., Beck, C., & Bicknell, L. S. (2021). The developmental effects of disrupting DONSON: A gene involved in genetic microcephaly. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1537), (pp. 115). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

2019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Banerjee, S., Damsteegt, E., Szyszka, P., & Beck, C. (2019). Using Xenous laevis tadpole as a model for testing anti-inflammatory drugs as treatment for intractable epilepsy. Proceedings of the 16th Asian Conference on Transcription. (pp. 65-66). Retrieved from https://act2019.p.events4you.currinda.com/days/2019-12-02

2018

Chapter in Book - Research

Beck, C. (2018). Recovering what was lost: Can morphogens scale to enable regeneration? In D. M. Gardiner (Ed.), Regenerative engineering and developmental biology: Principles and applications. (pp. 207-227). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Devine, T., Bishop, T., Morgan, X., & Beck, C. (2018, December). Organ-altering microbes: The role of the microbiome in the regeneration of Xenopus laevis tadpole tails. Verbal presentation at the 4th One Health Aotearoa (OHA) Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand.

2017

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Taylor, A., Beck, C., & Bicknell, L. (2017). Modelling rare disease in Xenopus laevis using CRISPR/Cas9. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Genetics Society of Australasia (GSA) with the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB). 689. Retrieved from http://gen2017.w.events4you.currinda.com

Jones, M., Beck, C., & Hore, T. (2017). The role of DNA hypomethylation in Zebrafish cell reprogramming during tail fin regeneration. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 40-41). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/graduate-research/scholarships/otago643219.html

2016

Journal - Research Article

Keenan, S. R., & Beck, C. W. (2016). Xenopus limb bud morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics, 245(3), 233-243. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.24351

Journal - Research Other

Beck, C. W. (2016). Manipulating carbohydrate metabolism to enhance regeneration. BioEssays, 38(12), 1192. doi: 10.1002/bies.201600196

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dearden, P. K., Duncan, E., Tidswell, O., & Beck, C. (2016). Linking Noggin and terminal patterning. Proceedings of the European Society for Evolutionary Developmental Biology (EED) 6th Meeting. (pp. 100). Retrieved from http://evodevo.eu/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Beck, C. W., & Bishop, T. (2016, August-September). Understanding how regeneration is regulated in a vertebrate model: The clawed frog Xenopus. Verbal presentation at the Queenstown Molecular Biology (QMB) Meetings, Nelson, New Zealand.

2015

Journal - Research Article

Wang, Y.-H., Keenan, S. R., Lynn, J., McEwan, J. C., & Beck, C. W. (2015). Gremlin1 induces anterior–posterior limb bifurcations in developing Xenopus limbs but does not enhance limb regeneration. Mechanisms of Development, 138, 256-267. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2015.10.003

Wang, Y.-H., & Beck, C. (2015). Distinct patterns of endosulfatase genes expression during Xenopus laevis limb development and regeneration. Regeneration, 2(1), 19-25. doi: 10.1002/reg2.27

Beck, C. W. (2015). Development of the vertebrate tailbud. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Developmental Biology, 4(1), 33-44. doi: 10.1002/wdev.163

2014

Journal - Research Article

Wang, Y.-H., & Beck, C. W. (2014). Distal expression of sprouty (spry) genes during Xenopus laevis limb development and regeneration. Gene Expression Patterns, 15(1), 61-66. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2014.04.004

2013

Journal - Research Article

Jones, T. E. M., Day, R. C., & Beck, C. W. (2013). Attenuation of bone morphogenetic protein signaling during amphibian limb development results in the generation of stage-specific defects. Journal of Anatomy, 223(5), 474-488. doi: 10.1111/joa.12098

Pietak, A., Ma, S., Beck, C. W., & Stringer, M. D. (2013). Fundamental ratios and logarithmic periodicity in human limb bones. Journal of Anatomy, 222(5), 526-537. doi: 10.1111/joa.12041

2012

Chapter in Book - Research

Beck, C. W. (2012). Studying regeneration in Xenopus. In S. Hoppler & P. D. Vize (Eds.), Xenopus protocols: Post-genomic approaches: Methods in molecular biology (Vol. 917). (pp. 525-539). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-992-1_30

Journal - Research Article

Taylor, A. J., & Beck, C. W. (2012). Histone deacetylases are required for amphibian tail and limb regeneration but not development. Mechanisms of Development, 129(9-12), 208-218. doi: 10.1016/j.mod.2012.08.001

2011

Journal - Research Article

Day, R. C., & Beck, C. W. (2011). Transdifferentiation from cornea to lens in Xenopus laevis depends on BMP signalling and involves upregulation of Wnt signalling. BMC Developmental Biology, 11, 54. doi: 10.1186/1471-213x-11-54

McEwan, J., Lynch, J., & Beck, C. W. (2011). Expression of key retinoic acid modulating genes suggests active regulation during development and regeneration of the amphibian limb. Developmental Dynamics, 240(5), 1259-1270. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22555

Lynch, J., McEwan, J., & Beck, C. W. (2011). Analysis of the expression of retinoic acid metabolising genes during Xenopus laevis organogenesis. Gene Expression Patterns, 11(1-2), 112-117. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2010.10.003

2009

Journal - Research Article

Malloch, E. L., Perry, K. J., Fukui, L., Johnson, V. R., Wever, J., Beck, C. W., … Henry, J. J. (2009). Gene expression profiles of lens regeneration and development in Xenopus laevis. Developmental Dynamics, 238(9), 2340-2356. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21998

Beck, C. W., Izpisúa Belmonte, J. C., & Christen, B. (2009). Beyond early development: Xenopus as an emerging model for the study of regenerative mechanisms. Developmental Dynamics, 238(6), 1226-1248. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21890

Barker, D. M., & Beck, C. W. (2009). Overexpression of the transcription factor msx1 is insufficient to drive complete regeneration of refractory stage Xenopus laevis hindlimbs. Developmental Dynamics, 238(6), 1366-1378. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21923

2008

Journal - Research Article

Pearl, E. J., Barker, D., Day, R. C., & Beck, C. W. (2008). Identification of genes associated with regenerative success of Xenopus laevis hindlimbs. BMC Developmental Biology, 8, 66. doi: 10.1186/1471-213X-8-66

2007

Journal - Research Article

Jarikji, Z. H., Vanamala, S., Beck, C. W., Wright, C. V. E., Leach, S. T., & Horb, M. E. (2007). Differential ability of Ptf1a and Ptf1a-VP16 to convert stomach, duodenum and liver to pancreas. Developmental Biology, 304, 786-799.

2006

Journal - Research Article

Beck, C. W., Christen, B., Barker, D., & Slack, J. M. W. (2006). Temporal requirement for bone morphogenetic proteins in regeneration of the tail and limb of Xenopus tadpoles. Mechanisms of Development, 123, 674-688.

2005

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Beck, C. W., & Miles, L. (2005). Pleiotropic actions of BMP signalling in Xenopus laevis development. Mechanisms of Development. 122, (pp. S165-S166). [Abstract]

2004

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Slack, J. M. W., Beck, C. W., Gargioli, C., & Christen, B. (2004). Cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration in Xenopus. In B. Heap (Ed.), Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences. 359(1445), (pp. 745-751). London: The Royal Society. [Full Paper]

2003

Journal - Research Article

Avaron, F., Thaeron-Antono, C., Beck, C., Borday-Birraux, V., Geraudie, J., Casane, D., & Laurenti, P. (2003). Comparison of even-skipped related gene expression pattern in vertebrates shows an association between expression domain loss and modification of selective constraints on sequences. Evolution & Development, 5(2), 145-156.

Christen, B., Beck, C., Lombardo, A., & Slack, J. M. W. (2003). Regeneration-specific expression pattern of three posterior hox genes. Developmental Dynamics, 226, 349-355.

Beck, C., Christen, B., & Slack, J. M. W. (2003). Molecular pathways needed for regeneration of spinal cord and muscle in a vertebrate. Developmental Cell, 5, 429-439.

2002

Journal - Research Article

Beck, C. W., & Slack, J. M. W. (2002). Notch is required for outgrowth of the Xenopus tail bud. International Journal of Developmental Biology, 46, 255-258.

2001

Journal - Research Article

Beck, C. W., Whitman, M., & Slack, J. M. W. (2001). The role of BMP signaling in outgrowth and patterning of the Xenopus tail bud. Developmental Biology, 238, 303-314.

Beck, C. W., & Slack, J. M. W. (2001). An amphibian with ambition: A new role for Xenopus in the 21st century [Minireview]. Genome Biology, 2(10), 1029.1-1029.5. Retrieved from http://genomebiology.com/2001/2/10/reviews/1029

2000

Journal - Research Article

Chalmers, A. D., Slack, J. M. W., & Beck, C. W. (2000). Regional gene expression in the epithelia of the Xenopus tadpole gut. Mechanisms of Development, 96, 125-128.