 Center
for Cancer Research
Simches Bldg, CPZN 4200, 4th floor
185 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02414
Publications |
Our lab tries to understand the role stem cells play in
normal development and disease. Stem cells have the dual
potential to self-renew and give rise to differentiated
cells. They play key roles in normal development, during
tissue homeostasis and following injury in the adult. Moreover,
stem cells have been experimentally shown to be the cells
of origin in certain types of cancer. To understand the
biology of stem cells and to exploit their use for therapy,
it is critical to identify and characterize the factors
that control the decision between their self-renewal and
differentiation under normal physiological conditions and
in disease.
We are particularly interested in the biology of embryonic
stem (ES) cells which are the only cell type that retains
pluripotentiality. The pluripotent state of ES cells is
maintained by a set of transcription factors including
Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. Genetic studies have shown that Oct4
and Nanog keep ES cells undifferentiated by inhibiting
their differentiation into trophectoderm and endoderm,
respectively. Interestingly, some of these factors appear
to be important also in other cell types such as neural
stem cells as well as in different biological processes,
such as nuclear reprogramming and perhaps cancer.
We are using in vitro and in vivo model
systems to further characterize the role of pluripotency
genes in stem cell self-renewal, reprogramming and cancer.
Specifically, future projects will include:
- The screening for novel genes involved in the self-renewal
of stem cells
- Their analysis in normal development and cancer by
establishing novel mouse models
- Nuclear transfer to
better understand the role of these genes in nuclear
reprogramming
List of Publications for
Hochedlinger Laboratory
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