Baldwin Wallace University invites applicants for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor in Neuroscience with a preferred research focus in electrophysiology using an invertebrate or fish model system beginning August 1, 2017. This position is a joint appointment between the Biology Department and the Neuroscience Program.
Qualified applicants will have completed a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Physiology or a related discipline and preference will be given to candidates who have teaching experience and postdoctoral research. Teaching responsibilities will include existing courses on Principles of Neuroscience and Neuroscience Methods, as well as newly developed courses on Cell and Molecular Neuroscience, Neurophysiology or other courses related to the candidate’s area of expertise. Start-up funds will be made available to obtain electrophysiology equipment. The successful candidate will be expected to mentor undergraduate research and to seek extramural grants to support neuroscience research.
Candidates will be expected to develop and teach a seminar course for the first year experience program, share in the supervision of Neuroscience senior thesis projects, serve as academic advisors and participate in a shared governance system.
Founded in 1845, Baldwin Wallace University is an independent, coeducational college in the liberal arts tradition. Located 15 miles southwest of downtown Cleveland, Baldwin Wallace enrolls approximately 3,100 full-time undergraduate day students, 800 part-time students in evening and weekend programs, and 700 graduate students.
Candidates should apply online at https://www.bw.edu/employment. A single Word or PDF file containing cover letter, curriculum vitae, teaching philosophy, research statement, and contact information for 3 current references must be uploaded at time of application. Official transcripts will be requested before a campus interview is scheduled. Full consideration will be given to applications received prior to October 21, 2016 and review will continue until the position is filled. All inquiries regarding the position should be directed to Diana Barko, Search Chair (dbarko@bw.edu or 440-826-2489).
Baldwin Wallace University is an EEO/AA employer and educator. At BW, we support and encourage diversity in a variety of forms. We value and appreciate inclusive excellence in the classroom, within extracurricular activities, and as we engage our community. Learn more at https://www.bw.edu/about/diversity/
Researchers working with flies at IRB Barcelona describe that the concentration of some small intracellular organelles determines the branching capacity of tracheal cells.
Tracheal cells are analogous to the cells that form blood vessels in the human body. The inhibition or stimulation of new blood vessels has implications in cancer and in tissue regeneration.
Barcelona, 29th September 2016.- Published today in Current Biology, a study by Sofia J. Araújo, associate researcher at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), reveals that the number of centrosomes—small intracellular structures—in cells determines the final shape that cells adopt and their function.
The effects of variations in the number of centrosomes are studied mainly in dividing cells because of the key function of centrosomes in this process and their correlation with cancer when defects are present. Araújo’s team, which works in Jordi Casanova’sDevelopment and Morphogenesis in Drosophila Lab, has now addressed the influence of variations in centrosome number on cells that have already divided and differentiated. They demonstrate that centrosomes are also determinant organelles in cells that have already left the cell-division cycle.
The greater the number of centrosomes, the greater the branching in the trachea
The scientists have studied centrosomes in the tracheal cells of the fly Drosophila melanogaster. In the article, they demonstrate that cells that hold more than two centrosomes form more branches (a single cell is like a small tree with many branches). In contrast, those that have two (the usual number) form standard branches, while those that have none show practically no branching.
This finding indicates variations in the number of centrosomes affect the morphology of tracheal cells. In addition, the study describes that the number of centrosomes is related to the first developmental stages of these structures in the fly respiratory system. “Through our work, we have been able to modify the capacity of these cells to branch in function of the number of centrosomes that we introduce. This finding may have biomedical implications,” says Araújo.
Of biomedical interest
Tracheal cells are homologous structures to the cells that form the delicate blood vessels of the human body. The formation of new vessels (from those already existing (angiogenesis) or new ones (neovascularisation) has two implications in human health. On the one hand, medical practice seeks how to inhibit pathological angiogenesis, for example in cancer, when tumour cells generate more blood vessels to facilitate access to more oxygen and nutrients, thus ensuring their growth. On the other hand, and in contrast, it may be of interest to stimulate the formation of new vessels, for example for wound healing or in regenerative processes.
Beyond the widely studied effects of centrosomes on cell division, the work by Araújo provides new information on the function of these organelles and their possible contribution to disease in differentiated cells.
Reference article:
Terminal tracheal cell during the initial ramification. In red, the cells of the trachea, in green the microtubules and in blue the lumen. (Delia Ricolo and Sofia J. Araújo)
Centrosome amplification increases single-cell branching in post-mitotic cells
Delia Ricolo, Myrto Deligiannaki, Jordi Casanova and Sofia J. Araújo
Current Biology (2016) doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.08.020
We are seeking a passionate, outstanding postdoctoral fellow to join the Piotrowski lab at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Missouri. Research in the lab focuses on hair cell regeneration in the lateral line system. Lateral line hair cells are homologous to mammalian inner ear hair cells, however mammals do not regenerate hair cells leading to deafness. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying zebrafish hair cell regeneration we have performed bulk RNASeq analyses on regenerating organs (Jiang et al., PNAS 2014) and lineage analyses using 3-day long time lapse recordings coupled with proliferation assays (Romero-Carvajal et al., Dev Cell 2015). These experiments revealed an unexpected behavioral and molecular heterogeneity in the cells that regenerate hair cells. To gain a detailed understanding of how many cell types exist in sensory organs and how each of them responds to hair cell death we have been developing single cell RNASeq analyses in collaboration with the outstanding cytometry, molecular biology and computational biology cores at the Stowers Institute.
We are inviting applications from highly motivated candidates to participate and eventually lead our single cell RNASeq projects on regenerating hair cells. Applicants should have a strong record of accomplishment and experience in several of the following areas: molecular techniques, bioinformatics, cell biology and developmental or regeneration biology. The Stowers Institute provides a very stimulating and interactive research environment, as well as excellent research support including cores equipped with cutting edge technology.
To apply please send your curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and three reference letters of past advisors or mentors to: pio@stowers.org.
PhD fellow in Plant Developmental Biology Department for Plant and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in Plant Developmental Biology commencing 1 March 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Description of the scientific environment
The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) constitutes a highly competitive, stimulating, and international research environment. The PhD project will be carried out within the research groups of Stephan Wenkel and Alexander Schulz, which are affiliated to Copenhagen Plant Science Centre (CPSC). The aim of CPSC is to create a cross-disciplinary scientific environment that bridges plant scientists in the Copenhagen area and advances research from bench to field. In the fall of 2016, CPSC-financed groups will move to a recently inaugurated building which houses state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The group of Stephan Wenkel (http://cpsc.ku.dk/meet-the-scientists-page/stephan-wenkel-group/) investigates how plants adapt to environmental changes using a combination of genomics, proteomics and molecular biology. The group of co-supervisor Alexander Schulz studies vascular cell differentiation using advanced bioimaging.
Project description
We are looking for a PhD student interested in developmental biology and genomics. Using ribosome profiling we aim to establish cell-type specific translatomes of the vascular system of Arabidopsis plants and identify key regulators of vascular patterning. Using genome engineering we will uncouple signaling pathways and study effects on patterning and adaptation. Advanced bioimaging and histological methods will complement our efforts.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Stephan Wenkel, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. E-mail: wenkel@plen.ku.dk
Job description
The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:
To manage and carry through your research project
Attend PhD courses
Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
Teach and disseminate your research
To stay at an external research institution for a few months, preferably abroad
Work for the department.
Key criteria for the assessment of candidates:
A master’s degree in Biology or related discipline
The grade point average achieved
Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme
Previous publications desirable
Relevant research experience related to the subject area of the project, such as experience in one or more of the following technologies:
– Experience in the areas of Arabidopsis Molecular Genetics
– Experience in bioimaging and/or histology
– Experience with high-throughput approaches, e.g. Next Generation Sequencing.
Other professional activities.
Language skills, fluency in English.
Dedication and the ability to collaborate and profit from interactions with other members of the research group are additional success criteria.
Formal requirements
Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Biology or related discipline with good results and good English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience.
Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 309,109 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 42,699). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.
Application Procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include
Cover Letter, detailing your motivation and background for applying for the PhD project
CV
Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications (if any)
Full contact details (name, address, telephone & email) of 1-3 professional referees.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
The deadline for applications is 15 November 2016, 23:59 GMT +1.
Applications received after the deadline for applications will not be considered.
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.
The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science. You can read more about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
Questions
For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor Stephan Wenkel, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, E-mail: wenkel@plen.ku.dk, direct Phone: +45 35337567.
King’s College London – Craniofacial Development & Stem Cell Biology – Andrea Streit
A postdoctoral position is available in Prof Andrea Streit’s group for 15 months to work on interdisciplinary projects combining developmental biology, epigenetics, transcriptional networks and bioinformatics. The Streit lab studies how multipotent progenitor cells are committed to the ear and sensory ganglia lineage and how epigenetic mechanisms control the regenerative potential of sensory hair cells in the ear.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate holding a recent PhD in bioinformatics and/or computational biology. The successful candidate will work closely with developmental and molecular biologists and be responsible for the analysis of NGS data (RNAseq, ChIPseq, ATACseq etc.) from databases and other sources, integrate this information in gene regulatory networks and generate predictive models. S/he will have expertise in the areas of computational biology, network modelling, bioinformatics or data analysis, will be proficient in programming languages like R, PERL, Python, C++, Java etc., have an excellent scientific track record and will be keen to work in an interdisciplinary team.
This article was originally posted on the DMDD website dmdd.org.uk
Knowing the ‘normal’ expression of genes during embryo development is key to understanding the differences that occur due to genetic mutations.
As part of work to understand the underlying transcriptional processes for developing embryos from knockout mouse lines, DMDD has now released a gene expression profile for wild-type mouse embryos between E8.5 and E10.5. The new dataset reveals the typical expression profile of genes during this crucial period of embryonic development, including their abundance, and when they are turned on and off.
NEW DATA AVAILABLE
RNA-seq has been used to establish the expression profile for whole, wild-type embryos at each somite number between 4 and 36 (excluding 29 – 33). This range corresponds roughly to the period E8.5 – E10.5, a vital period during which many organs and systems begin to develop.
The resulting data is now available in Expression Atlas. It’s a temporal baseline expression reference derived from wild-type embryos, which adds to EBI’s established resource to give a more complete picture of gene expression during embryonic development.
WHY DERIVE A BASELINE EXPRESSION PROFILE?
The wild-type baseline helps us to answer the question “what does ‘normal’ whole-embryo gene expression look like during development?” This is hugely important, as we can only really begin to explore what is abnormal once we know what is normal.
More specifically, the baseline highlights patterns in the way different genes are usually expressed as an embryo develops: when they are turned on and off; their abundance and whether their expression is covariant with other genes. Example expression profiles are shown below for Nacad and Pdzk1, indicating that at this depth of sequencing Nacad is switched on during somitogenesis and Pdzk1 is switched off.
Expression profiles of the Nacad and Pdzk1 genes with increasing somite number. The white boxes indicate no expression at a cut off of 0.6 fpkm (fragments per kilobase per million). The numbers in the boxes give the level of expression in fpkm, with bluer boxes indicating a higher level of expression.
MOLECULAR PHENOTYPING
For DMDD, the new dataset will underpin work on molecular phenotyping, by allowing us to understand whether the expression patterns of mutant embryos are significantly different from the wild-type. The ultimate goal is to allow users to correlate a given gene with the physical manifestations of its knockout in the developing embryo, and the underlying transcriptional processes.
The DMDD database will ultimately allow correlation between genes, morphological phenotypes and molecular phenotypes (based on transcriptional processes).
However the data is a valuable resource for any researcher interested in gene expression during embryonic development, and is free to use. You can explore the data further in Expression Atlas.
ROLE of THYROID HORMONE in MOUSE INTESTINAL DEVELOPMENT and REGENERATION.
Thyroid hormone (T3) is known to be critical for postembryonic development in mammals (around birth). This laboratory has been taking a multi-faceted approach to investigate the function of T3 and T3 receptors (TRs) in vivo by using Xenopus and mouse as models. A major recent focus is on how T3 regulates adult stem cell function during mouse postembryonic intestinal maturation and regeneration. We have shown earlier that System L amino acid transporter can influence gene regulation by TR through cellular uptake of T3 in a cell line and frog occytes. In addition, the TR coactivator PRMT1 is upregulated during mouse intestinal maturation. Yun-Bo Shi is recruiting two postdoctoral fellows to use knockout mice to study whether they play a role in the function of T3 in the intestinal maturation and regeneration.
Ritchie, J.W.A., Shi, Y.-B. , Hayashi, Y., Baird, F.E., Muchekehu, R.W., Christie, G.R., and Taylor, P.M. (2003). A role for thyroid hormone transporters in transcriptional regulation by thyroid hormone receptors. Mol. Endocrinol. 17, 653-661.
Matsuda, H., Paul, B. D., Choi, C. Y., Hasebe, T., and Shi, Y.-B. (2009) Novel functions of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 in thyroid hormone receptor-mediated transcription and in the regulation of metamorphic rate in Xenopus laevis. Mol. Cell. Biol. 29, 745–757.
Sato, Y., Heimeier, R.A., Li, C., Deng, C., and Shi, Y.-B. (2011) Extracellular domain of CD98hc is required for early murine development. Cell & Bioscience 1:7, 1-12.
Sinclair, L. V., Rolf, J., Emslie, E., Shi, Y.-B., Taylor, P. M., and Cantrell, D. A. (2013) Control of amino-acid transport by antigen receptors coordinates the metabolic reprogramming essential for T cell differentiation. Nature Immunology 14, 500-8.
Poncet, N., Mitchell, F.E., Ibrahim, A.F.M., McGuire, V.A., English, G., Arthur, S.C., and Shi, Y.-B*., and Taylor, P.M*. (2014) The catalytic subunit of the System L1 amino acid transporter (Slc7a5) facilitates nutrient signaling in mouse skeletal muscle. PLoS One 9(2): e89547,1-14.
The positions are open to all candidates within 4 years of MD/PhD degree and with
experience in mouse research. Please contact: YUN-BO SHI at shi@helix.nih.gov, NICHD/NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. (http://smm.nichd.nih.gov/)
So Adam, can you tell us a little about your previous research and university life leading up to the paper?
You could say that I have always been interested in tissue regeneration and have explored this in a variety of systems. Prior to joining Freda’s lab, my work at York University with Dr. Tom Hawke and McMaster University with Dr. Gianni Parise was largely focused on skeletal muscle physiology, muscle stem cell activity and factors that regulate muscle repair. During this time, I also became very interested in cellular cross-talk mechanisms and how the many cell and tissue types found within skeletal muscle function in a coordinated manor to achieve tissue repair and homeostasis. In a general sense, this type of thinking is ultimately what we applied when approaching the digit regeneration experiments.
“Freda Miller has a talent for recruiting individuals with unique backgrounds and skill sets in a melting pot of talent.”
Your paper was published when you were in Freda Miller’s lab in Toronto. What are the broad aims of the Miller lab and how did you fit into it?
The Miller lab is an incredibly dynamic place to do research and I consider myself privileged to have had the opportunity to do so. Freda’s research program primarily concentrates on developmental neurobiology as well as tissue regeneration/stem cell biology with many projects drawing parallels between the two fields. In addition, our group worked very closely with Dr. David Kaplan who focuses on cancers of the nervous system in addition to development. Freda has a talent for recruiting individuals with unique backgrounds and skill sets in a melting pot of talent. Being able to collaborate with my coauthors (i.e. Dr. Scott Yuzwa, Dr. Matt Krause, Matt Carr) was fundamental to this project and made for a great lab environment. Personally, I have considerable experience on IHC, cell sorting and animal work which fit well with many of the approaches utilised in the investigation.
Confocal images of distal digits of at 7, 14 and 21 days post-amputation, from Fig. 1, Johnston, et al. 2016. Cell Stem Cell
And how was this particular project conceived?
Prior to this work, we published a manuscript that described the function of Schwann cell precursors in skin regeneration; a project I proudly say we stumbled into looking for something else altogether different. Based on these findings, we had an inkling that these cells may play a broad role in tissue repair which led us to investigate digit regeneration, a structure with robust regenerative capacity which is poorly understood. Freda always says “It is just as difficult to ask a big question, as it is to ask a small one” and I think that “big picture” approach resonated throughout the development of this project.
What was known about the nervous system in regeneration prior to your work?
The concept that nerve innervation is important for tissue repair is actually not a new one. The best described work to date focuses on nerve derived signals in the incredible regeneration observed in newts and salamanders. In part, these fascinating studies sparked our interest in regeneration as they actually demonstrated a functional role for Schwann cells as well as nerve axon –derived signals in limb regeneration. In mammals, it is also appreciated that nerves are necessary for the repair of many tissues (i.e. skeletal muscle) and regulates the activity stem cell populations (i.e. epidermal stem cells, HSCs). What was less understood is the mechanisms by which nerves play such an important role.
“Digit tip regeneration is one of the only examples of true multi-tissue regeneration that is possible in mammals (and even humans), and is contingent upon nerve innervation.”
Could you sum up the key results of your paper in a few sentences?
Our manuscript focused on the mammalian digit tip, a structure that has an incredible ability to regenerate following amputation. In fact, it is one of the only examples of true multi-tissue regeneration that is possible in mammals (and even humans) and is contingent upon nerve innervation. We demonstrated that cells which normally function to support nerve axons undergo de-differentiation into a precursor state (Schwann cell precursors) in response to digit amputation and dissociate from the axons. Surprisingly, these cells move into the regenerating “blastema” (area of regeneration) and intermix with the resident mesenchymal precursors where they secrete paracrine factors to enhance cell proliferation and subsequent digit regeneration. Not surprisingly, one of these factors was PDGF-AA, however, we also identified oncostatin M as a major regulator or regeneration which has not been shown before.
Resection of the sciatic nerve impedes digit regeneration, from Fig. 2, Johnston, et al. 2016, Cell Stem Cell
When doing this research was there a particularly exciting result or eureka moment that stayed with you?
I think this happened on a monthly basis and none of us thought the experiments would actually pan out! All kidding aside, one of the final experiments that we completed for the study was to exogenously transplant cultured Schwann cell precursors into the regenerating digits of mice that were deneravated (and regenerate poorly) in an attempt to rescue the associated defects. We all thought it was a long shot due to the technical nature of the experiments, however, due to the efforts of a very talented MD/PhD student (Matt Carr) the cells engrafted, rescued the regenerative defects, and thus, we were able to establish a definitive role for Schwann cell precursors in this process.
And what about the flipside: any particular moments of frustration or despair?
In the investigation we utilised over a dozen transgenic mouse strains, some of which required double or triple backcrossing to generate. At times it made me wonder how many manuscripts were delayed due to the reproductive habits of mice!
“Our long term aspirations are focused on identifying what is special about the blastema or “regenerative environment,” with the goal of using this information to improve tissue repair”
Does your work have any implications for human regeneration?
Interesting question; in fact, human digits also possess the ability for regeneration (if amputated distal to nail bed) and without embarrassing any of my former lab mates, we know this information through first-hand experience (pun intended!). However, our long term aspirations are more focused on identifying what is special about the blastema or “regenerative environment” with the goal of using this information to improve tissue repair.
Cultured rat neonatal Schwann precursor cells, from Fig. 4, Johnston, et al. 2016. Cell Stem Cell
You’ve just started your own lab at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada: how are you settling in?
I am beginning to settle in nicely and learn the ropes of becoming a “PI”. By making the jump to an academic position, I have lots of different responsibilities compared to being a postdoc, but I also really enjoy mentoring trainees and get on the bench as much as possible. The University of Prince Edward Island is a smaller school but still has a dedicated research community and lots of opportunity to collaborate with both academic and industrial partners.
What can we look forward to hearing about in the upcoming years?
My goal is a build a laboratory that leverages all the unique training experiences I have encountered through my graduate studies and postdoctoral work. We will still focus our efforts on understanding mechanisms of tissue repair and regeneration but my lab is also actively engaged in delineating how we can utilise exercise as a modality to enhance the stem cell niche to improve repair.
“If you have never been to Prince Edward Island you are missing out on fine seafood, beaches and very kind residents”
And life on Prince Edward Island?
If you have never been to PEI you are missing out on fine seafood, beaches and very kind residents. I am originally from the Island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, so PEI was not a big adjustment for me and it is great to be closer to friends and family.
And finally, what do you like to do when you are not in the lab?
My wife and I really enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and running and I have also been an avid guitar player for a number of years.
Dear Colleagues
Washington State University’s Vancouver campus is seeking an adjunct faculty member to teach Principles of Animal Development during the Spring 2017 semester (Jan. 9-May 9). We are also looking for an instructor for Immunology.
For the complete advertisement and application instructions see:
https://admin.vancouver.wsu.edu/human-resources/employment/jobs/adjunct-faculty-developmental-biology-and-immunology
Vancouver, WA is part of the Portland, OR metro area.
Review of applications begins Oct. 10, 2016.
Thank you,
John
John Bishop, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Biological Sciences
Program Leader, Vancouver Biological Sciences
Washington State University
Vancouver, WA 98686
The 5th of July 1996 marked the birth of the world’s most famous sheep, Dolly. A scientific revelation, she was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell through nuclear transfer. Earlier this month, scientists from far and wide gathered at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh for a special one-day symposium dedicated to Dolly’s legacy.
The significance of the day was underlined by the opening of the symposium by the Principal of the University of Edinburgh, Prof Sir Tim O’Shea. The initial welcome was followed by a short speech on how scientific discoveries can change the world outside of the sphere of research.
The first session of the day was the keynote lecture from Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, who led the team that produced Dolly. His talk was a tour de force of the scientific thinking behind cloning and scientific work that preceded Dolly. It was surprising to hear that only a few years before the Dolly experiments, the prevailing thinking was that cells lose genes as they differentiate. Transcription factors were still a relatively new discovery, making the re-programming of a somatic cell even more revolutionary. It was a pleasure to hear Sir Ian’s anecdotes about the international reaction that followed Dolly’s birth. A short coffee break followed the talk, and after this pick-me-up, we were ready to hear how Dolly’s legacy is still creating breakthroughs.
The second session of the day was titled ‘From Dolly to Engineered Farm Animals’. This session was focussed on how cloning and genetic engineering are being used in farm animals for the benefit of human and animal health. Prof Goetz Laible opened the session with his talk on the production of transgenic cattle via siRNA insertion into the cow’s genome. The cows are engineered to alter their milk composition so it is more beneficial for human consumption. The first of the Roslin Institute’s own speakers to talk was Dr Chris Proudfoot, who also spoke about altering livestock animals, but for a different purpose. Dr Proudfoot described the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to produce livestock that are less prone to contracting disease, benefitting farmers.
The second of the Roslin-based speakers to talk was Dr Lissa Heron whose questionable pun title (Eggcellent therapeutics) was nonetheless followed by a discussion of great research. She spoke of genetically engeneered chickens that were made to produce high levels of pharmaceutical proteins in their eggs whites. This is a process that has commercial benefits over the way drug proteins are produced currently. The final speaker of the session, Prof Angelika Schnieke differed from the others and spoke about genetically engineered pigs as a model for human disease. After a brief tribute to Dolly, she quickly moved to the central tenet of her talk: the sheep got all the glory but now the pigs are doing the work. She spoke about how research using pigs is helping us to understand the genetic basis of cancer and how pigs should be more widely used in research, especially in pre-clinical drug testing.
The third session, titled ‘Alternatives to cloning for altering cell identity’, included talks that moved away from cloning to the area of science concerned with cell identity, cell development and how understanding these processes can be used to tackle human disease. The first speaker was Prof Shinya Yamanaka, Nobel Prize Laureate Physiology or Medicine 2012. Whilst Sir Ian’s was the highlight of my day, this talk was a close second. Prof Yamanaka spoke about his Nobel -prize-winning research in inducing pluripotency in differentiated cells – creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). He also updated the audience on his current research, centered around creating a bank of iPSCs from ‘super donors’ that could be used in the clinic to treat disorders such as age-related macular degeneration and achondroplasia. Prof Shimoyama celebrated the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking work this year, and his talk provided the backbone for a number of talks that followed.
The next two speakers were Dr Abdenour Soufi and Dr Sally Lowell, who are based at the University of Edinburgh. They spoke about their work on cell fate decisions made by pluripotent cells. First up, Dr Soufi detailed his work on pioneer transcription factors that pave the way during reprogramming of iPSCs. He went on to speak about how chromatin structure may hold the key to cellular identity. Following his talk, Dr Lowell spoke about her findings into how transcription factors can control the first steps towards differentiation. A new angle was presented on how cell morphology and adhesion may be responsible for the developmental cues cells receive, providing insight into why cells often differentiate in an unpredictable fashion. Prof Marius Wernig was the final speaker of the session, and he presented his work on the direct reprogramming of somatic lineages. Building on the work of Prof Yamanaka, Prof Wenig showed that mouse fibroblasts could be reprogrammed to produce functional neural cells. He spoke of his aim to improve gene targeting in iPSCs in order to correct disease-causing mutations.
Another chance to grab a coffee preceded the final session: ‘Taking stem cell science towards the clinic’. The first to talk was Prof Paul Tesar who spoke about his work studying iPSCs to analyse the molecular mechanisms of myelin disorders. He spoke about his experiments with oligodendrocyte precursor cells and how they contribute to multiple sclerosis. Using high-throughput techniques, he is using these cells to test a variety of compounds as a platform for discovering new therapeutics. Prof Stuart Forbes (also the session chair) stepped in to talk about his work on hepatocyte regenerator cells and how these could be used in cirrhosis to regenerate the liver.
The next speaker was Prof Andrew Jackson, who spoke of how microcephaly could represent a disorder of the neural stem cells. Prof Jackson explained how altered cell machinery could disrupt their normal turnover depriving the brain of neural stem cells. He described how patient skin cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotent stem cells and used to produce a 3D cortical organoid – reported by the media as ‘mini-brains’. This technique allows the cell machinery to be studied in a representative 3D environment. The next speaker Prof Mar van de Wetering gave the final talk of the day, speaking about his use of patient-derived organoids to study the crypts of the small intestine and how these may give rise to cancer.
Prof David Hume, director of the Roslin institute whose short speech was followed by a wine reception, closed the day. The symposium excellently highlighted and celebrated the legacy that Dolly left, not only on the world of research but on society in general. Rather than being a significant part of any one particular strand of science, the team behind Dolly the sheep birthed a new area of science altogether.
I would like to thank the sponsors of the symposium Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) for enabling me to attend by funding my registration fee. For more information about the journal, visit: http://dmm.biologists.org/
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