Stem cell biology
The Institute hosts research on human embryonic stem (ES)
cells, germline stem cells and somatic stem cells. ES cell research is aimed
at understanding stem cell pluripotency, self-renewal, survival and epigenetic
control of differentiation and development. The differentiation potential of
spermatagonial stem cells is also being explored in parallel with functional
analysis of genes involved in germline stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
Somatic stem cell projects include programmes on umbilical cord blood stem cells,
haematipoietic progenitors, and limbal stem cells. Research pages for academic staff who are engaged in research in this area are given below:
Principal Investigators
Dr Lyle Armstrong -
Epigenetic control of stem cell differentiation and development of germ cells
Dr Majlinda Lako - Understanding
human ESC pluripotency, renewal and differentiation to haematopoietic and corneal
lineages
Professor Hanns Lochmuller
- Neuromuscular research
Professor Karim Nayernia - From
stem cells to germ cells and back
Profesor Maya Sieber-Blum - Mechanisms of neural crest stem cell differentiation
