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Comparisons of different pluripotent cell types

Reference	BB/C50880X/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Azim Surani
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Gabriela Durcova Hills
Institution	University of Cambridge
Department	Gurdon Institute
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	325,444
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/03/2005
End date	30/04/2008
Duration	38 months

Abstract

Mouse EG cells as well as ES cells are valuable models for their human counterparts. The aim of this work is to explore the differences among mouse pluripotent stem cells originally from different sources: early epiblast (ES cells) and primordial germ cells, both soon after establishment of the germ cell lineage (early EG cells), ie. before imprint erasure, and after colonisation of the genital ridge (late EG cells), ie. after erasure. We will examine the basis of generation of early and late EG cells, comparing methylation of imprinted genes in EG cells and PGCs and exploring the role of the somatic environment. To assess differential potential in vivo, we will use EG-cell/tetraploid aggregations to determine the extent and normality of early and late EG-cell-only fetuses. ES-cell-only mice can survive to term. In vitro, differentiation of specific tissue types will be induced from early and late EG as well as from ES embryoid bodies, focussing on cartilage and bone since chimeras made with late EG cells show skeletal abnormalities. Microarray technology will allow the identification of reproducible differences in gene expression among the three pluripotent panels. The extent of imprint erasure that can be achieved by fusing late (perhaps also early) EG cells with somatic cells and with ES cells will be determined. Attempts will be made to discover whether candidate genes up-regulated in late (or perhaps early) EG cells compared to ES cells are implicated in the demethylation process.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	Stem Cells
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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