Meeting the challenges of stem cell research
Mathematicians at the University of Southampton are part of a multi-disciplinary team addressing the challenges raised by vital research into using stem cells to create new treatments for major diseases and disabilities.
Dr Ben MacArthur
and
Professor Colin Please
have joined forces with
Professor Richard Oreffo
and colleagues from Medicine to look into the numerous crucial issues raised before stem cell-based therapies can be routinely and safely developed.
Stem cells are the body's master cells and have the amazing ability to renew themselves and generate tissue following disease or injury.
This means stem cells have the potential to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs, offering new hope of treatments and cures for many common diseases including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
The multi-disciplinary team is investigating how stem cell behaviour is changed when essential interactions between molecules within the cells are modified.
“In order to do this we are developing mathematical and computational methods alongside the experimental techniques being carried out by our colleagues in Medicine,” said Ben.
“We hope that our work will lead to a better understanding of how stem cells work and ultimately to improvements of medical treatments,” he added.