Periodic Reporting for period 3 - TRANSTEM (TRANSTEM: ERA Chair in Translational Stem Cell Biology)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2025-07-31
TRANSTEM addresses the problems of tissue repair and regeneration, in a variety of disease conditions. Regenerative medicine includes the generation and use of therapeutic stem cells, tissue engineering and the production of artificial organs. TRANSTEM aims at developing successfull scientific research on adult stem cells in Bulgaria and nearby regions. Stem cell and regenerative medicine research has given rise to novel therapeutic strategies that have created new hopes and possibilities for patients. The body of stem cell research developed in TRANSTEM will contribute to play a critical role in informing funders, regulators, patient organizations, health policy experts as well as physicians, clinical researchers, scientists and biomedical companies.
The main achievement of the TRANSTEM project so far (M01-M18) is the successful recruitment of the ERA Chair in Translational Stem Cell Biology – Dr. Manlio Vinciguerra. In addition, we successfully conducted interviews and selected applicants to be hired within the ERA Chair’s team and published 4 scientific papers. Further, one public database of scientific images has been funded during the project.
The main achievements of the TRANSTEM project in the second reporting period (M19-M36) are i) the successful recruitment of the ERA Chair research team, including 2 full-time postdocs, 2 part-time post-docs, 4 junior researchers; ii) a number of experimental/theoretical training; iii) implementation of structural changes: MUV was awarded the HR Excellence in Research Logo with a review on the progress of the Action Plan in June 2024; iv) complementary equipment investments; v) implementation of mobilities and international collaborations; vi) implementation of the intellectual property rights (IPR) office; vii) publication of 8 scientific papers (average impact factor =6.1).
The main achievements of the TRANSTEM project in the third reporting period (M37-M70) are i) successful installation of a laboratory with cutting edge molecular biology equipment; ii) trainings of the junior researchers from MUV in the new facility; iii) completion of the strategies of the PhD students enrolled in the project for their PhD defence; iv) organization of internationally recognizable scientific events; v) enlagement of the capacity of the IPR office to service TRANSTEM and MUV researchers in submitting international patent applications; vi) publication of 12 scientific papers, most in Q1/WoS journals; vii) obtention of further independent funding to support research activities.
As an overview, for its duration TRANSTEM created in MUV an internationally recognizable team which made Varna a scientifically visible spot on the map of stem cell biology. The TRANSTEM team acquired a clear path in their career by receiving high level training in science and research management, by participating in international meetings and preparation of manuscripts for high-level scientific journals, and by networking with the top research groups worldwide in the field of stem cell biology.
The main achievements of the TRANSTEM project in the second reporting period (M19-M36) are i) the successful recruitment of the ERA Chair research team, including 2 full-time postdocs, 2 part-time post-docs, 4 junior researchers; ii) a number of experimental/theoretical training; iii) implementation of structural changes: MUV was awarded the HR Excellence in Research Logo with a review on the progress of the Action Plan in June 2024; iv) complementary equipment investments; v) implementation of mobilities and international collaborations; vi) implementation of the intellectual property rights (IPR) office; vii) publication of 8 scientific papers (average impact factor =6.1).
The main achievements of the TRANSTEM project in the third reporting period (M37-M70) are i) successful installation of a laboratory with cutting edge molecular biology equipment; ii) trainings of the junior researchers from MUV in the new facility; iii) completion of the strategies of the PhD students enrolled in the project for their PhD defence; iv) organization of internationally recognizable scientific events; v) enlagement of the capacity of the IPR office to service TRANSTEM and MUV researchers in submitting international patent applications; vi) publication of 12 scientific papers, most in Q1/WoS journals; vii) obtention of further independent funding to support research activities.
As an overview, for its duration TRANSTEM created in MUV an internationally recognizable team which made Varna a scientifically visible spot on the map of stem cell biology. The TRANSTEM team acquired a clear path in their career by receiving high level training in science and research management, by participating in international meetings and preparation of manuscripts for high-level scientific journals, and by networking with the top research groups worldwide in the field of stem cell biology.
M1-M18 - We recently proposed and published advances in the knowledge (WP4) about:
-the transcriptomic dynamics of neural stem cells (NSC) in a monkey model of ischemia and neurogenesis.
-the epigenetic mechanisms regulating stemness (NSC) and behavior in the mouse hippocampus.
-the role of senolytics on the development of liver diseases and regeneration (progenitor cells).
M19-36 - We recently proposed and published advances in the knowledge (WP4) about:
-the post-translational modifications of histone variants and their role in the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from somatic cells.
-the role of ghrelin and transcription Factor ZBTB20 in hypoxic brain progenitor cells and neurons.
-the role of rejuvenating factor Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) in the plasticity and stemness of adipose tissue.
-the role of senolytics in nervous system plasticity.
Numerous experiments are ongoing. Until the end of the project, we expect to elucidate additional mechanisms involved in the biology and therapeutic use of NSC, HSC/MSC, LSC, and iPSC.
M37-M70 We recently proposed and published advances in the knowledge (WP4) about:
- novel markers of neural stem cells in the primate brain, including the genes TNC and GJA1
- histone based-epigenetic mechanisms underlying defects in energy metabolism and in the neuronal plasticity in the setting of autistic spectrum disorder.
- Transcriptomics and epigenomics of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming.
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In addition, TRANSTEM was involved in informing the patient and doctor organizations on stem cell therapies with their specificity, and establishing a link to stakeholders related to stem cell research, including national and local/regional health authorities.
-the transcriptomic dynamics of neural stem cells (NSC) in a monkey model of ischemia and neurogenesis.
-the epigenetic mechanisms regulating stemness (NSC) and behavior in the mouse hippocampus.
-the role of senolytics on the development of liver diseases and regeneration (progenitor cells).
M19-36 - We recently proposed and published advances in the knowledge (WP4) about:
-the post-translational modifications of histone variants and their role in the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from somatic cells.
-the role of ghrelin and transcription Factor ZBTB20 in hypoxic brain progenitor cells and neurons.
-the role of rejuvenating factor Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) in the plasticity and stemness of adipose tissue.
-the role of senolytics in nervous system plasticity.
Numerous experiments are ongoing. Until the end of the project, we expect to elucidate additional mechanisms involved in the biology and therapeutic use of NSC, HSC/MSC, LSC, and iPSC.
M37-M70 We recently proposed and published advances in the knowledge (WP4) about:
- novel markers of neural stem cells in the primate brain, including the genes TNC and GJA1
- histone based-epigenetic mechanisms underlying defects in energy metabolism and in the neuronal plasticity in the setting of autistic spectrum disorder.
- Transcriptomics and epigenomics of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming.
-
In addition, TRANSTEM was involved in informing the patient and doctor organizations on stem cell therapies with their specificity, and establishing a link to stakeholders related to stem cell research, including national and local/regional health authorities.