Therapeutic/Technology: Exploring stem cell mechanisms
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 […]
Ex vivo fate mapping of human lung stem cell plasticity in fibrotic disease
Research Objective This proposal will design new models to study behavior that is specific to human lung stem cells, and screen for drugs that can target abnormal stem cells in fibrotic disease. Impact This study will generate potential new therapeutic approaches to fibrotic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Major Proposed Activities Development of […]
Identifying roadblocks to neural stem cell transplantation into human tissues.
Research Objective We will generate a comprehensive map of human neural stem cell differentiation profiles that will serve as a reference for enhancing neural stem cell-based therapies. Impact Our project will develop improved protocols for human neural stem cells differentiation, enhancing the fidelity, safety and robustness of future cell therapies. Major Proposed Activities Establish quantitative […]
Functional genomics to study cellular convergence across ASD risk genes in neurodevelopment
Research Objective Our objective is to enable scalable genetic screening to study how neurogenesis is impacted by risk genes implicated in human psychiatric disorders. Impact We will develop and apply state-of-the-art genomic analysis to seek mechanisms and disease modifying solutions. Major Proposed Activities Identifying and validating efficient gRNA for gene editing Identify risk gene effects […]
Establishment of a novel approach to systematically study the dynamic organization of protein complexes in stem cells
Research Objective We focus on hiPSCs pluripotency and neurodifferentiation to develop a novel framework to allow simultaneous identification of multiple interactions between proteins and between proteins and the genome Impact Our framework will allow high-throughput queries of the organization and functionality of proteins and shift the focus towards unprecedented, multi-dimensional studies of the cellular complexity. […]
Modulation of human alveolar stem cells to promote lung regeneration and avoid pulmonary fibrosis
Research Objective Understanding regulators of human alveolar lung stem cell function will promote more normal lung regeneration after injury and avoid the nearly untreatable problem of advanced pulmonary fibrosis. Impact Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and other chronic fibrotic lung disorders. Major Proposed Activities Modify human fibroblasts to create a supporting […]
Drivers of trophoblast stem/progenitor cell identity in human placenta
Research Objective This proposal will elucidate the mechanisms that identify a stem/progenitor cell population in the human placenta. Impact This proposal addresses our current knowledge gap on human placental development related to formation of the maternal/fetal interface during pregnancy, and placenta-associated pregnancy complications. Major Proposed Activities Identification of DNA regions, called enhancers, regulating placenta stem/progenitor […]
Using metabolic pausing for maintaining stable and high-quality pluripotent stem cells
Identification of antigenic neo-epitopes from in vitro reprogrammed human tissue precursors for regenerative therapy
Research Objective This study examine potential immunologic changes caused by cellular reprogramming that could present a barrier to clinical application of regenerative therapies. Impact Identification and evaluation of immunologic changes caused by cellular reprogramming provides critical information to maximize the efficacy and safety of regenerative cellualar therapies. Major Proposed Activities Identify changes to the repertoire […]
New Methods for the Chemical Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Research Objective We will develop a new agent that can increase the production of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and determine how the compound functions Impact We aim to develop a method to achieve the highest fold expansion of hematopoietic stem cells from a single unit of cord blood achieved to date increasing the supply […]