Shared Resource Laboratory for Stem Cell-Based Modeling: Resources for Exploring the Biological Underpinnings of Aging and Age-Associated Pathologies
We seek to engage more Californians in stem cell research by providing access to cell models (including those for modeling the aging brain) derived from a uniquely characterize human cohort,…
Unlocking the regenerative potential of hepatocyte plasticity for diseases of the biliary system
Research Objective The research will generate the know-how for replacing lost or injured bile ducts in the liver by reprogramming an abundant and related cell type that normally has a…
Unraveling nuclear Tau functions using age-equivalent human induced neurons from healthy aging donors and tauopathy patients
Research Objective This project investigates how normal tau protein protects aging neurons. We'll use aging human neurons to understand how tau helps repairing DNA and why this protection fails disease.…
Chemically engineered photoreceptors for vision restoration in retinal degeneration associated blindness.
Research Objective This proposal will develop a cell-based therapy that can restore vision in retinal degeneration associated blindness such as Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration. Impact Chemically induced method…
Preclinical development of AAV vector-mediated in vivo hepatic reprogramming of myofibroblasts as a therapy for liver fibrosis
Research Objective An intravenously injectable virus that converts the scar cells responsible for liver cirrhosis into the cells that provide most of the liver’s function, thereby preventing or reversing liver…
Direct Cardiac Reprogramming for Regenerative Medicine
Research Objective To develop a gene therapy product to deliver cardiac reprogramming factors into the heart for regeneration of new heart muscle. Impact The proposed candidate would regenerate heart muscle…
Generation of human airway stem cells by direct transcriptional reprogramming for disease modeling and regeneration
Research Objective We will generate human airway stem cells by direct transcriptional reprogramming of fibroblasts. We will use these induced airway stem cells to model motile cilia disease in a…
Mechanisms of human induced neuronal cell reprogramming
We and other groups have recently shown that it is possible to convert skin cells from foreskin of newborns into nerve cells that closely resemble nerve cells of the brain…
Human endothelial reprogramming for hematopoietic stem cell therapy.
The current roadblocks to hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapies include the rarity of matched donors for bone marrow transplant, engraftment failures, common shortages of donated blood, and the inability to…