Proceeding of International Conference On Research, Implementation and Education of Mathematics and Sciences 2014, Yogyakarta State University, 18-20 May 2014 B-127 REGENERATION IN VERTEBRATES: A RESEARCH MODEL TO STUDY ANGIOGENESIS Rizka Apriani Putri Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Yogyakarta State University Abstract Regeneration of animals’ body parts has been observed for centuries. In vertebrates, research in regeneration has now produced a new level of understanding yet there are still many questions unanswered. One of the processes that commonly occur in regeneration is angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing blood vessels. Even though this process has been known to occur during regeneration but more research are needed to understand the whole process underlying angiogenesis during regeneration. One of the question which arise is what cause angiogenesis to occur only at a certain stage of regeneration and what process or signal activate the initiation of angiogenesis. This paper aims to review the importance of angiogenesis during regeneration and why the study of the regeneration process can be used as a model to study angiogenesis in vertebrates. Hopefully, more understanding on how this process works might help human to develop a method to cure or create new medicine to heal severe injuries both for human and othr vrtbrats as well. Key words: Vertebrates, Regeneration, Angiogenesis, Research Model INTRODUCTION Regeneration is defined as a replacement of body parts (tissues, organ, appendages) that have been lost because of injuries (Bely and Nyberg, 2009; Poss, 2011). Regeneration is not confined to vertebrates only. Metazoan as well as vertebrates have this ability to repair and replace the injured parts o their body and even Plants also have regenerative ability through its “stem cells” (Birnbaum and Alvarado, 2008; Wullf, 2010). In vertebrates, regeneration is occurred throughout of all classes but the regeneration capacity of each class is quite different (Tsonis, 2000). Few groups of animal that have an outstanding regenerative ability are Fish, Urodeles, and Reptiles (Bely, 2010). Salamander is famous because of their ability to replace the lost limbs, eyes, jaw and even heart tissues (Tanaka, 2003). Lizards and Geckos are known to regenerate their lost tail (of autotomal process) into almost similar replica of the original tail. Fish also have similar ability to replace their lost appendages (fins), eyes and few organs. Those particular animal has been used as a model to study vertebrates regeneration for centuries (Nye et al., 2003). On the other hand, Mammals have been known to have an ability to replace certain parts such as Hepatic cells, Acinar cells or Pancreas or blood cells perfectly, but a complete limb or appendage replacement in adult mammals is never been observed (Tsonis, 2000). B -17