Human Stem Cell Use: Embryonic Stem Cell
Immune cloaking of human stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells for curative cell therapy without immunosuppression
Research Objective The goal of our project is to generate cells for replacement therapy in patients that have reduced ability to trigger the immune response in the recipient and therefore escape rejection. Impact We test a novel molecule that reduces immune activation upon transplantation of allogeneic stem cell products that can improve graft survival and […]
Village-based identification of human risk factors for viral neuropathogenesis
Research Objective We will identify the risk factors underlying viral infections of the fetal brain using a novel human stem cell-based platform that has the potential to accelerate basic and translational discoveries. Impact Our work will identify the biological factors that influence inter-individual differences in susceptibility and immune response to neurotropic viruses, which could inform […]
An interactive data resource for hypothesis testing in stem cell single-cell gene expression and validation of the results with brain organoids
Research Objective We are building a "virtual molecular microscope" where anyone can quickly visualize a very recent, high-throughput molecular assay, single-cell RNA-seq and spatial gene expression studies Impact Currently, a lot of data has been published, hundreds of datasets on the cerebral cortex alone, but it takes hours to convert the datasets and look at […]
Mapping the spatial and temporal responses of hESC-derived microglia to repeat mild closed head injury to identify therapeutic targets and mechanisms
Research Objective We will generate an RNA activation map of human stem cell derived microglia activation states following brain injury to then test a new gene-edited microglia peptide delivery mechanism. Impact Bottlenecks with the time and sex-dependent human microglia responses to repeat mild closed head injury and questions surrounding the delivery and efficacy of a […]
Towards a trophectoderm stem-cell model representing human blastocysts of the highest implantation potential
Research Objective To define a new reference for embryos and stem cell lines of the highest developmental potential and work towards a trophoblast stem cell model to study factors important for successful implantation Impact The molecular determinants of successful human blastocyst implantation remain unknown and trophectoderm stem cell models to study these embryo factors and […]
Control of OCT4 abundance and function in human stem cells
Research Objective Our work will reveal an essential pathway that establishes precise levels of the OCT4 transcription factor and protects stem cell identity despite genetic or environmental stress. Impact Our work will enhance our ability to generate and expand high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells from older patients or patients of neurodegenerative disease for use in […]