Year 5

Our CIRM funded project have provided strong evidence suggesting miRNAs, and in a broader perspective, non-coding RNAs, as essential gene regulators in the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Consistently, these ncRNAs play an important role in the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Using expression studies, functional screening and candidate approaches, we have identified and characterized the roles of multiple miRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating the self-renewal and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. These non-coding RNAs are essential component of a regulatory network that regulate stem cell cell fate potential, self-renewal and differentiation potential.