Robert Gourdie, a professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute and director of the Center for Heart and Regenerative Medicine Research, has compiled, edited, and published a book titled, Wound Regeneration and Repair: Methods and Protocols. The book delves into the molecular underpinnings of the healing of tissues and organs, including the eyes, skin, neural system, and heart. It is a mix of review articles and cookbook-style “how-to” pieces that provide insight into the methodology of carrying out experiments in the field. It also details necessary equipment and tips and tricks not normally included in scientific papers.

The book is not all about science, however, in that it contains several chapters on legal and business issues. Included are chapters on claiming intellectual property rights and patents in wound healing and regeneration, as well as a primer on beginning a biotechnology startup.

Although Gourdie had previously edited special collections of journal articles, he had never edited an entire book before. He received help, however, from luminaries in regenerative medicine from all over the world.

Coauthoring one chapter of the book and helping to edit the collected pieces was Tereance Myers, a postdoctoral researcher working with Gourdie during the book’s curation. Several notable scientists in the field contributed chapters to the book, including Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine; Michael Longaker of the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University; Stephen Badylak, deputy director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh; Jan Freiburg, professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany; and Lucie Germain, scientific director of the Laboratoire d’Organogénèse Expérimentale at Laval University in Quebec City.