New Jersey Commission Science and Technology Grants – Stem …

Martin Grumet, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience Director, W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience Rutgers Stem Cell Research Center

Modulation of recovery from neural trauma by neural stem cells

Neural stem cells give rise to neurons and glia during development providing most of the cells that form the nervous system but very few stem cells persist in the adult brain. Transplantation of neural stem and progenitor cells into the injured central nervous system is a promising approach to promote repair and recovery after injury. Towards that goal, we are analyzing the development of different kinds of neural cells that can be derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells in the laboratory and testing their behavior after transplantation into the injured nervous system.

Ronald P. Hart, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience Rutgers Stem Cell Research Center

Regulation of microRNA gene expression in differentiating neural stem cells

The key to transforming human stem cells into therapeutic transplants is the faithful control of differentiation the process by which cells acquire specialized functions during embryogenesis in the culture dish. A newly-discovered class of regulatory molecules, known as microRNAs, has been discovered to be required for stem cell differentiation. Our experiments will help to define groups of microRNAs that are regulated during neurogenesis and how they work to control production of neurons or non-neuronal cells in the nervous system. We propose that addition of artificial microRNA molecules will help control differentiation of stem cells prior to transplant, helping to guide the differentiation process towards cell types that are desired and away from products that are unwanted, and enhancing the utility and safety of therapeutic stem cells.

Melitta Schachner, Ph.D. Research Professor II New Jersey Professor of Spinal Cord Research W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience

Therapeutic use of genetically engineered human ES cells overexpressing the neural cell adhesion molecule L1

My research focuses on recognition molecules found on or near the surface of nerve cells. These molecules tell cells whether they can bind together, an activity important in repairing damaged nervous system tissue. The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 regulates brain development by promoting contacts between nerve cells, thus generating a functional nervous system. Its beneficial influence is important for regeneration after trauma, for example, in spinal cord injury or Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. When overexpressed in mouse ES cells, L1 enhances survival of imperiled host nerve cells, makes the overexpressing stem cells migrate better in the host tissue, and helps form connections between the transplanted stem cells and the host leading to functional recovery. Important also is its ability to halt tumor formation. We are working toward developing human ES cell lines which overexpress L1, monitor their beneficial potential, and expand their therapeutic potential.

Jay A. Tischfield, Ph.D., FACMG Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Prof of Genetics & Chair (Prof of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ) Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository

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New Jersey Commission Science and Technology Grants - Stem ...