HDH Lunchtime Seminar - Molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of pluripotency in somatic cells
Professor James Adjaye, Chair for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine at Heinrich Heine University
Time: 13:00
Place: IDS Lecture Theatre, Level A, IDS Building
A free lunch is available from 12:30 in the Seminar Room, Level A, IDS Building
Synopsis
Human pluripotent stem cells hold great promise for basic research and regenerative medicine due to their inherent property to propagate infinitely, while maintaining the potential to differentiate into any given cell type of the human body.
The generation of embryonic stem cell-like human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells by virus-mediated over-expression of distinct sets of embryonic specific transcription factors has opened up further opportunities in the field.
This talk will describe the technical challenges and advances towards the generation of potentially clinically relevant human iPSCs and highlight key molecular events underlying the process of cellular reprogramming and discuss inherent features of iPSCs. The talk will conclude with an overview of envisaged applications of human iPSCs and ESCs in drug screening, toxicology studies and regenerative medicine.