Activities in Area A are focused around stem cell biology, regeneration and organogenesis. The aim of the research work is to obtain greater insight into the underlying mechanisms of genetic and epigenetic reprogramming. One of the chief research aims in Area A is, therefore, to unravel the genetic mechanisms that govern embryonic development in vertebrates. There is a particular focus on understanding molecular and cellular processes that are important for the development of organs originating from the mesoderm. The researchers are drawing on all the latest techniques in molecular and cell biology in order to achieve this objective. Embryological techniques are used to investigate questions relating to cell and tissue interaction in the mouse model system. Genetic methods such as transgenic or targeted mutagenesis are employed to analyse the function of genes both in vivo und in vitro.
Another important current focus of the work involves characterizing murine and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), the hepatic differentiation of stem cells, the in vitro phenotyping of metabolic liver diseases and cell-based therapies for the liver. The long-term objective of these priority research activities is to identify new therapeutic goals by means of disease-specific iPS cells and their progeny, and to investigate stem cell-based treatments for metabolic/genetic diseases. In the near future, it will be possible to carry out microRNA analyses of specific stages of liver development and hepatic cell differentiation, and to bring about epigenetic changes during these processes.
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Report by the Area Managers (A. Gossler, H. Niemann)
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AREA A – Managers
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Prof. Dr. Achim Gossler
MHH – Institute of Molecular Biology
Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover
E-Mail: gossler.achim (at) mh-hannover.de
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Prof. Dr. Hans R. Schöler
MPI – Cell and Developmental Biology
Röntgenstraße 20, 48149 Münster
E-Mail: office (at) mpi-Münster.mpg.de
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Prof. Dr. Heiner Niemann
FLI - Institute of Farm Animal Genetics Mariensee
Höltystraße 10, 31535 Neustadt
E-Mail: heiner.niemann (at) fli.bund.de
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Area A is dedicated to basic research in support of the Cluster of Excellence’s overall objective, namely to develop and improve regenerative therapies. The main research activities are related to exploring basic mechanisms of epigenetic reprogramming, to better understanding the biology and behaviour of stem cells of various origins, and to unravelling molecular mechanisms crucially involved in organogenesis, cell differentiation and proliferation. The ultimate aim of these endeavours is to obtain the necessary basic knowledge that allows us to devise effective strategies for improving regenerative processes and for translating these into novel therapeutic approaches. We have developed a multidisciplinary approach to research that includes important cells from significant model organisms such as mouse, rat and pig.
More specifically, research in the field of stem cell biology focuses on developing therapeutically useful reprogrammed cells, deriving novel pluripotent cell sources from postnatal tissues, determining typical features, controlling differentiation by defined reagents and safe methods of transgenesis, and finally validating their functionality in appropriate models. Projects in the field of organogenesis, differentiation and proliferation are addressing fundamental questions relating to the role of transcriptional regulators and cell-to-cell communication, mechanisms that regulate cell proliferation and cell death and thus limit regeneration, and specific intercellular and intracellular signalling cascades that act during regenerative processes by combining in vivo approaches in vertebrate model organisms and biochemical analyses.
Significant progress has been made towards further strengthening research in Area A by establishing nine additional research groups at various career levels, and providing additional support to existing groups. To foster the development of young investigators, in some cases preference has been given to hiring more junior scientists with the potential to develop a competitive and successful research programme in the context of the Cluster of Excellence rather than filling positions on the faculty level. Two such groups belong to extra-university member institutions of REBIRTH (MPI Münster and ING-FLI Mariensee) whose leading scientists have been integrated into the MHH faculty. These groups have recently been established (early-/mid- 2008) and occupy laboratory space together with a number of other Area A groups in the newly built Hans Borst Centre, which stimulates interaction and collaborative projects. Interaction is also encouraged by regular meetings between all Area A members, as well as various subgroups and REBIRTH’s series of seminars. Indicative of just how successfully the groups have been in implementing their work is the emerging flow of research papers in high-calibre journals, and the successful collaborations that have been established at both national and international level.
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