EAGER: An Integrative Approach to Guide MSC Clonal Population Selection and Differentiation

在成体干细胞中，间充质干细胞（MSC）似乎具有再生医学的最佳潜力。骨髓间充质干细胞含有能够分化为多种类型细胞的前体细胞，但致瘤性风险要低得多。骨髓干细胞群体的异质性使得难以解决MSC可塑性的相互矛盾的数据。目前可用于鉴定MSC的标记物的特异性未能分离结构不同的细胞群体。因此，分离和维持MSC亚群的策略将改变干细胞生物学领域。在这项工作中，一个新的假设分离和分离纯群体的干细胞将被测试。 为了验证这一假设，研究人员将使用一种综合方法，将力学建模与实验相结合，以预测维持MSC亚群所需的表面特性。这最终将有助于建立更均匀的细胞群，并研究其分化成特定谱系的能力，从而提高其分化效率。PI将把研究纳入密歇根州立大学的课程，并让研究生、本科生和高中生参与这一多学科领域的研究。

Of the adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to have the best potential for regenerative medicine. MSCs contain precursors that are able to differentiate into numerous types of cells but with a much lower risk of tumorigenicity. The heterogeneity of the bone marrow stem cell population makes it difficult to resolve the conflicting data on MSC plasticity. The specificity of current markers available to identify MSCs fails to separate the populations of structurally distinct cells. Hence, strategies that isolate and maintain the subpopulations of MSCs would transform the field of stem cell biology. In this work, a novel hypothesis for separating and isolating pure populations of stem cells will be tested. To test this hypothesis, investigators will use an integrative approach that couples mechanics modeling with experiments to predict the surface properties required to maintain subpopulations of MSCs. This will eventually facilitate a more uniform cell population to be established and studied for their capacity to differentiate into specific lineages, thereby enhancing their differentiation efficiency. The PI will integrate research into curriculum at Michigan State University and engage graduate, undergraduate and high school students in research in this multidisciplinary area.