Award details

Characterisation of neural stem cell differentiation

Reference	BBS/E/B/0000L223
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Martin Bootman
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	43,540
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/02/2008
End date	31/01/2009
Duration	12 months

Abstract

The cells required for brain development and growth are generated through the proliferation and differentiation of a population of neuronal stem cells. As well as being present in the developing brain, stem cells have recently been identified in several regions of the adult brain. These neuronal stem cells can be isolated and maintained in culture and given the right cues, they can differentiate into all the major cell types of the brain: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and neurons. Since adult neurons are terminally differentiated, stem cells may be responsible for the replacement of dying or damaged neurons. Furthermore, stem cells and their more committed daughter cells (neural precursor cells) have been cited as a possible source of tissue to replace dead, dying or damaged neurons in patients suffering from particular neurodegenerative disorders. Indeed, embryonic ventral mesencephalon cells have been successfully transplanted into the striatum of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease producing a lasting symptomatic improvement. The cells can also be used as a test-bed for pharmacological screening assays in the context of a primary human- or mouse-derived cell system.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Biochemistry & Cell Biology (BCB)
Research Topics	Neuroscience and Behaviour, Pharmaceuticals, 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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