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Understanding the identity of the amniotic fluid stem cells

Descripción del proyecto

Desentrañar el potencial terapéutico de las células madre del líquido amniótico

El líquido amniótico, conocido por su papel trófico y de apoyo en el desarrollo embrionario, contiene una pequeña población de células conocidas como células madre del líquido amniótico (AFSC por sus siglas en inglés). Aunque estas células se emplean con fines de diagnóstico prenatal, se sabe poco sobre su origen o función. El objetivo del proyecto AmnioticID, financiado con fondos europeos, es determinar la identidad del linaje de estas células y su papel en el desarrollo mediante la secuenciación de nueva generación y métodos de rastreo del linaje «in vivo». Los resultados facilitarán el aislamiento y la multiplicación de estas células para su empleo en estrategias de medicina regenerativa.

Objetivo

The amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the foetus during development, providing trophic and mechanical support to its growth. This liquid contains a variety of cells shedding from embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues that have long been utilised for prenatal diagnosis. In a seminal 2007 article, Professor De Coppi identified in the amniotic fluid, a small population of cells with broad multi-lineage differentiation ability defined as Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells (AFSCs). AFSCs can be isolated, expanded and differentiated during gestation, making them ideal for the development of pre-/perinatal autologous regenerative medicine strategies. In the last decade, a series of studies focused on investigating the therapeutic relevance of the AFSCs for various tissue compartments, such as skeletal and cardiac muscle, lung and liver. However, very little is known about the AFSCs origin, lineage identity and role during human development. This knowledge gaps have relevant impact on these cells' clinical translation and a list of important questions remains to be addressed: Which tissue releases the AFSCs? Are these cells constantly generated, or part of a self-renewing niche? What is the function of the AFSCs during human development? This proposal aims at addressing these questions, by using a combination of next generation sequencing analyses, cell biology assays and in vivo linage tracing approaches. Ultimately defining the origin and identity of the AFSCs will not only increase our knowledge of their physiological role, but will also allow to better direct future studies on their therapeutic implications. Thanks to this project, I will gain a comprehensive, multi-faceted understanding of the biology and regenerative potential of AFSCs. This will open up new research agendas, foster international collaborations and provide me valuable transferrable skills of crucial relevance to develop my independent career, in line with the mission of the Marie Curie action.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS clasifica los proyectos con EuroSciVoc, una taxonomía plurilingüe de ámbitos científicos, mediante un proceso semiautomático basado en técnicas de procesamiento del lenguaje natural.

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Coordinador

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 212 933,76
Dirección
GOWER STREET
WC1E 6BT London
Reino Unido

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Región
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Tipo de actividad
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 212 933,76