Objective
There is an urgent need for improved expansion protocols for haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Many studies have tried to stimulate HSC expansion by experimenting with cytokine cocktails in cell culture media. Although these combinations of growth factors are able to increase the amount of HSCs, this happens at the cost of cell maturation: many of the cells in the final culture have lost their 'stemness' and thus their use for treatment and R&D. Dr. Veiga Fernandes has identified crucial survival factors for HSC expansion that increase the stem cell yield 20-fold compared to the current state-of-the-art. This dramatic increase poses serious commercial and societal opportunities. In this ERC PoC project a team of technological and commercial experts will investigate the commercial feasibility of this potentially groundbreaking approach and aims to design the optimal route-to-market with the ultimate goal to attract investors and other strategic partners.
Call for proposal
ERC-2013-PoC
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Funding Scheme
CSA-SA(POC) - Supporting action (Proof of Concept)Host institution
1649 028 Lisboa
Portugal