Medicine is actively engaged in stem cell biology. Our spectrum of stem cell research is broad and ranges from the basic biology of preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells through to tissue-specific fetal, adult and cancer stem cell types.
An array of multidisciplinary approaches are used which combine molecular, biochemical and cellular analyses with mathematical and computational modelling. Research using adult stem cell populations focus on differentiation to cell types of potential clinical and therapeutic value in neurology, cardiology, optometry as well as orthopaedic applications. The work on musculoskeletal stem cell biology links closely to tissue engineering and the innovative use of scaffolds that facilitate the three dimensional growth of cells. Applying this technology offers new strategies in the treatment of fractures or tissue reconstruction.
Specific interests into Stem Cell Biology include:
Regulation of human embryonic stem cell pluripotency and differentiation
(
Franchesca Houghton
,
Richard Oreffo
).
miRNA in human embryonic stem cells and progenitor cells
(
Tilman Sanchez-Elsner
,
Franchesca Houghton
,
Richard Oreffo
,
David Wilson
).
Fetal and adult cardiac stem cells
(
David Wilson
).
Mesenchymal stem cells & musculoskeletal tissue engineering
(
Richard Oreffo
,
Rahul Tare
,
Nick Evans
).
Mechanical forces on stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration
(
Nick Evans
).
Neural stem cells in brain tumours and epilepsy
(
Sandrine Willaime-Morawek
).
Stem cell activation following traumatic brain injury
(
Aminul Ahmed
).
Retinal stem cells
(
Andrew Lotery
).
Stem cells and epigenetics
(
Karen Lillycrop
,
Graham Burdge
,
Richard Oreffo
,
Franchesca Houghton
).
Kidney stem cells
(
Jane Collins
,
Franchesca Houghton
)
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and the bone marrow stromal stem cell niche
(
Rahul Tare
,
Graham Packham
,
Gareth Thomas
).
Cancer stem cells
(
Mark Cragg
and
Sandrine Willaime-Morawek
).
Mathematical and computational modelling of stem cell behaviour
(
Ben MacArthur
,
Bram Sengers
, Engineering and the Environment).
Microfluidics and stem cells
(
Hywel Morgan
, Physical and Applied Sciences,
Richard Oreffo
,
Rahul Tare
,
Nick Evans
,
Tilman Sanchez-Elsner
).
Environmental influences on preimplantation embryo development
(
Judith Eckert
,
Tom Fleming
, Natural and Environmental Sciences,
Franchesca Houghton
)
Mouse embryonic stem cells and the extracellular matrix
(
Neil Smyth
, Natural and Environmental Sciences).