Welcome to the Accorsi Lab!

We study development and regeneration of complex sensory organs

In the Accorsi lab we are interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and regeneration of sensory organs. To achieve this goal, we take advantage of a new genetically tractable animal, the apple snail, that can fully regenerate their camera-type eyes after amputation. We explore this process using micro-dissections, imaging, sequencing and genetic manipulations.
In the Accorsi Lab we value creativity, teamwork and individual growth, all in a respectful environment.

Camera-type Eye Development

Camera-type Eye Regeneration

Regeneration Plasticity

Evolutionary Conservation

Lab News

  • Welcome, Carly!

    Carly joined our team to study the regeneration of snail sensory organs. (06/23/2025)

  • Congratulations, Sehar!

    Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences: DONE! (06/15/2025)

  • Congratulations, Samantha!

    Degree of Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology: DONE! (06/14/2025)

  • Welcome, Mark!

    Mark will stay with us for a month as visiting PhD student from Belgium and he will become an apple snail expert. (05/21/2025)

  • Congratulations, Stephanie (again)!

    Stephanie was awarded the Provost’s Undergraduate Fellowship to work on a research project in our lab. (05/15/2025)

  • Congratulations, Stephanie!

    Stephanie was awarded the John Roth Undergraduate Research Award to join the 2025 CBS Summer Undergraduate Research Program. (05/01/2025)

  • First posters from the Accorsi Lab

    Samantha and Sehar presented their projects at the Undergraduate Research Conference @ UC Davis. (04/25/2025)

  • Accorsi Lab first conference

    Annika, Asmita and Alice attended the 2025 Bay Area Young Investigator Research Conference (BYIRC). (4/25/2025)

  • Welcome, Annika!

    Annika is the first graduate student of the Accorsi Lab. We are so happy to have you! (04/01/2025)

  • Happy birthday, Accorsi Lab!

    We opened the doors of the Accorsi Lab one year ago. Happy first birthday! (3/28/2025)

  • ISTT Young Investigator Award

    Alice received the 10th ISTT Young Investigator Award. (02/04/2025)

  • Snail Party

    This was a success! So many people stopped by and celebrated with us! (01/15/2025)

  • Snails are in the house

    At a snail pace our apple snails arrived safe and sound at UC Davis. (11/26/2024)

  • Welcome, Jake!

    Jake recently joined our team to learn more about working in a lab and studying eye regeneration. (10/14/2024)

  • Welcome, Stephanie!

    Stephanie joined our team to learn more about regeneration. (09/23/2024)

  • Snail System installation: check!

    A five start hotel for apple snails is up and running. (08/30/2024)

  • Congratulations, Samantha!

    Samantha was awarded the 2024 Kathleen C. Green Undergraduate Scholarship in Biology. (08/24/2024)

  • Snail Facility renovations: check!

    We are almost ready to have a snail migration from Missouri to California. (08/19/2024)

  • Welcome to UC Davis, Asmita!

    Asmita traveled a very long way to join our team as Junior Specialist. (08/05/2024)

  • Boxes, boxes, boxes!

    A very merry unbirthday for me (Alice in Wonderland) (05/21/2024)

  • The team is growing!

    Samantha and Sehar, two brave undergrads, joined the lab even before we had pipettes. (04/08/2024)

  • The Accorsi Lab opens its doors!

    It is time to fill this space with amazing people and exciting science. (03/28/2024)

  • Accorsi Lab Website and Logo!

    We are excited to be here and to tell you more about who we are and what we do. (09/01/2023)

  • I signed the offer!

    I join the MCB Department at UC Davis as tenure-track Assistant Professor! (06/06/2023)