Cellular reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), their characterization as well as the optimization of reprogramming efficiency through novel methods for the future application of iPSCs in clinical regenerative me

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Reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a powerful approach that offers new options for regenerative medicine in the future. Because iPSCs are derived from the somatic tissues of recipient patients, they avoid two major concerns that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are fraught with: Firstly, the ethical concern of destroying human embryos and oocytes and secondly, the immunological response and rejection of ESCs by the recipient patient. The goal of this project is the generation of iPSCs from adult human adipose stromal cells (hASCs) using non-viral methods. hASCs have been recently introduced as a resource of patient-specific differentiated donor cells for reprogramming into a pluripotent, undifferentiated status. In this project, hASC-derived iPSCs will be characterized using network pathway analysis and transcriptional profiling. Moreover, microRNAs will be employed as a novel tool to control self-renewal and differentiation and hence to increase reprogramming efficiency. Thus this project aims at improving the efficiency of iPSCs generation through new strategies and to understand the fate and functionality of iPSC derivatives. This should contribute to both a better understanding of basic stem cell biology and to facilitating medical applications of stem cell research for clinical disease therapy in the future. This project will be performed in the laboratory of Prof. Joseph Wu (MD, PhD), who has great expertise in the field of stem cell research as demonstrated by his extensive record of peer-reviewed publications and his numerous connections to internationally recognized experts in stem cell research, cellular reprogramming and micoRNAs. The valuable experience obtained during this postdoctoral research sojourn abroad in the laboratory of Prof. Joseph Wu will prepare and enable me to continue in the future as an established scientist in academic research in Germany.