Objective
Adult stem cells are able to differentiate into multiple cell types representing a compelling tool in cell-replacement therapy. However, they are a very limited cell population being not sufficient to be used for therapeutic purposes.
Today the unique unlimited font of stem cells is constituted from the Embrionic Staminal (ES cells) isolated from embryos, although there are several ethical or legal impediments to experiment with them. To overcome these problems, one challenging strategy might be to de-differentiate fibroblasts isolated from skin biopsies. These undifferentiated cells could be re-implanted to provide a source of cells to correct a variety of defects avoiding also the complications of immune rejection.
The goal of this project is to identify the chromosome(s) and then the gene(s) involved in the induction and/or maintenance of undifferentiated status. The identification of this gene(s) will let us express them in fibroblast cell lines in culture with the aim of de-differentiating them. Fusion between lymphocytes and embryonic germ cells (EG cells) results in de-differentiated hybrids that have lost the expression of markers of differentiation.
Based on this evidence, I propose to create hybrids between differentiated cells and microcells that contain one or more chromosomes of EG cells using the microcell-mediated chromosome transfer technique. Dedifferentiated hybrid cell clones will lack markers of differentiation and have features of EG cells such as re-activation of X chromosome or loss of imprinting.
Once the chromosome or the group of chromosomes driving reprogramming is identified, we will narrow critical genomic regions by transferring less than a whole chromosome to recipient cells, which will permit to find candidate genes implicated in dedifferentiation reprogramming processes.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology cells technologies stem cells
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics chromosomes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.