Epigenetic regulation of lineage competence in human pluripotent stem cells
Lead Research Organisation:
Babraham Institute
Department Name: Epigenetics
Abstract
The human body consists of more than 250 specialised cell types. During embryo development, this diversity originates from a small group of about 10-20 cells named "epiblast", which are initially equivalent, but will then continue development and form the whole body. This ability to produce all cells of the body is called "pluripotency". Pluripotent cells will take diverse pathways in order to eventually become different cell types (a process referred to as "differentiation"): neurons of the brain, heart muscle cells, among many others.
All specialised cells (with very few exceptions) have the same genes, but only a specific subset of genes is active in each cell type - this is what makes the cells unique. There are special mechanisms to switch genes "on" and "off". Many of them are related to the fact that our genes are not simply naked DNA molecules, but rather represent DNA in complex with many different proteins. Specific molecular tags can be placed onto these proteins or onto DNA itself. These so-called "epigenetic" modifications do not alter our DNA sequence, they are reversible and employed to turn genes "on" and "off".
One of the most fascinating questions in developmental biology is how pluripotent cells of an embryo make their first decisions what specialised cells to become. Remarkably, when the epiblast first emerges in the embryo, these cells are not sensitive to the signals that would induce them to specialise (we call this stage "naïve"). Only after 8-10 days, during which the embryo implants in the uterus, the epiblast cells will gain the capacity to respond to these signals ("primed" stage) and go on to develop further. Our project aims to understand the mechanism of how pluripotent cells become competent to differentiate.
There are major limitations to study development of human embryos directly, due to ethical considerations. The solution in many cases is to use so called "pluripotent stem cells" (PSC), which are derived from embryos. Using special growth factors and chemicals allows for trapping PSC so that they remain very similar to epiblast cells. In these conditions, PSC can be grown in a dish practically indefinitely and remain unspecialised. If PSC are exposed to factors that stimulate development, they can produce mature cells as if they were in the embryo. Besides their use for fundamental research, PSC is a promising tool for regenerative medicine, as a source of mature cells for transplantation.
Previously, we developed conditions in which human PSC reproduce development of the epiblast from the naïve to primed stage. This takes about 10 days, which is very similar to the length of this process in the actual embryo. We plan to use this unique model to understand the very beginnings of human embryo development. Our hypothesis is that epigenetic mechanisms operate not only simply to turn genes "on" and "off" but also before that, in order to prepare genes for activation. We predict that during transition from naive to primed pluripotency, some genes for differentiation become "pre-activated" by epigenetic modifications. This makes cells sensitive to differentiation signals. Once these signals appear, these genes will turn on and pluripotent cells will produce many different specialised cells.
In this project, we will identify "pre-activated" genes and the epigenetic modifications that "pre-activate" them. Then, we will apply modern genetic engineering tools to understand which factors "pre-activate" the genes in the first place, and how these genes become activated later during differentiation. Altogether, our results will reveal how a small group of 10-20 epiblast cells make their first decisions in order to generate complex organisms like ourselves. Furthermore, this insight will advance our abilities to employ PSC for biomedical science and potential clinical application.
All specialised cells (with very few exceptions) have the same genes, but only a specific subset of genes is active in each cell type - this is what makes the cells unique. There are special mechanisms to switch genes "on" and "off". Many of them are related to the fact that our genes are not simply naked DNA molecules, but rather represent DNA in complex with many different proteins. Specific molecular tags can be placed onto these proteins or onto DNA itself. These so-called "epigenetic" modifications do not alter our DNA sequence, they are reversible and employed to turn genes "on" and "off".
One of the most fascinating questions in developmental biology is how pluripotent cells of an embryo make their first decisions what specialised cells to become. Remarkably, when the epiblast first emerges in the embryo, these cells are not sensitive to the signals that would induce them to specialise (we call this stage "naïve"). Only after 8-10 days, during which the embryo implants in the uterus, the epiblast cells will gain the capacity to respond to these signals ("primed" stage) and go on to develop further. Our project aims to understand the mechanism of how pluripotent cells become competent to differentiate.
There are major limitations to study development of human embryos directly, due to ethical considerations. The solution in many cases is to use so called "pluripotent stem cells" (PSC), which are derived from embryos. Using special growth factors and chemicals allows for trapping PSC so that they remain very similar to epiblast cells. In these conditions, PSC can be grown in a dish practically indefinitely and remain unspecialised. If PSC are exposed to factors that stimulate development, they can produce mature cells as if they were in the embryo. Besides their use for fundamental research, PSC is a promising tool for regenerative medicine, as a source of mature cells for transplantation.
Previously, we developed conditions in which human PSC reproduce development of the epiblast from the naïve to primed stage. This takes about 10 days, which is very similar to the length of this process in the actual embryo. We plan to use this unique model to understand the very beginnings of human embryo development. Our hypothesis is that epigenetic mechanisms operate not only simply to turn genes "on" and "off" but also before that, in order to prepare genes for activation. We predict that during transition from naive to primed pluripotency, some genes for differentiation become "pre-activated" by epigenetic modifications. This makes cells sensitive to differentiation signals. Once these signals appear, these genes will turn on and pluripotent cells will produce many different specialised cells.
In this project, we will identify "pre-activated" genes and the epigenetic modifications that "pre-activate" them. Then, we will apply modern genetic engineering tools to understand which factors "pre-activate" the genes in the first place, and how these genes become activated later during differentiation. Altogether, our results will reveal how a small group of 10-20 epiblast cells make their first decisions in order to generate complex organisms like ourselves. Furthermore, this insight will advance our abilities to employ PSC for biomedical science and potential clinical application.
Technical Summary
Pluripotency is the ability of single cells to differentiate into all somatic lineages and the germline. Two forms of pluripotency have been defined, naïve and primed, that correspond to the pre-implantation and pre-gastrulation stage epiblast, respectively. We have developed a system for conversion of naïve human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) to the primed state in vitro termed formative transition. Remarkably, this formative transition in vitro recapitulates features of primate embryo development in vivo. During this transition hPSC acquire the ability to respond to differentiation signals, first to endoderm and then to neuroectoderm. Thus differentiation competences to these lineages are separable in time and potentially mechanistically. The molecular basis of differentiation competence is unknown; it could rely on the expression of specific transcription factors, or the epigenetic marks of regulatory elements, or a combination of both. Here, we will explore the epigenetic component of the mechanism of lineage competence in hPSC.
Hypothesis: Competence for differentiation relies on certain epigenetic marks in promoters and enhancers of lineage-specific genes, which enables their activation in response to differentiation signals, once those signals appear ("epigenetic lineage priming"). We predict that epigenetic lineage priming occurs during the formative transition in hPSC.
Specific aims and questions:
1) Identify the epigenetic lineage priming programmes to endoderm and neuroectoderm.
2) How are epigenetic lineage priming programmes established during the formative transition?
3) How are epigenetic lineage priming programmes activated during differentiation?
The project will address the molecular mechanism of the transition from pluripotency to differentiation. Insight from our research will have far reaching implications, as it will provide a paradigm of epigenetic regulation and cell fate choice fundamental to understanding of all developing organisms.
Hypothesis: Competence for differentiation relies on certain epigenetic marks in promoters and enhancers of lineage-specific genes, which enables their activation in response to differentiation signals, once those signals appear ("epigenetic lineage priming"). We predict that epigenetic lineage priming occurs during the formative transition in hPSC.
Specific aims and questions:
1) Identify the epigenetic lineage priming programmes to endoderm and neuroectoderm.
2) How are epigenetic lineage priming programmes established during the formative transition?
3) How are epigenetic lineage priming programmes activated during differentiation?
The project will address the molecular mechanism of the transition from pluripotency to differentiation. Insight from our research will have far reaching implications, as it will provide a paradigm of epigenetic regulation and cell fate choice fundamental to understanding of all developing organisms.
Organisations
- Babraham Institute (Lead Research Organisation)
- Francis Crick Institute (Collaboration)
- Newcastle University (Collaboration)
- University of Ghent (Collaboration)
- Radboud University Nijmegen (Collaboration)
- University of Leuven (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EXETER (Collaboration)
Publications
Agostinho De Sousa J
(2023)
Epigenetic dynamics during capacitation of naïve human pluripotent stem cells.
in Science advances
Chovanec P
(2021)
Widespread reorganisation of pluripotent factor binding and gene regulatory interactions between human pluripotent states.
in Nature communications
Collier AJ
(2022)
Genome-wide screening identifies Polycomb repressive complex 1.3 as an essential regulator of human naïve pluripotent cell reprogramming.
in Science advances
Maskalenka K
(2023)
NANOGP1, a tandem duplicate of NANOG, exhibits partial functional conservation in human naïve pluripotent stem cells.
in Development (Cambridge, England)
Osnato A
(2021)
TGFß signalling is required to maintain pluripotency of human naïve pluripotent stem cells.
in eLife
Rosspopoff O
(2023)
Species-specific regulation of XIST by the JPX/FTX orthologs.
in Nucleic acids research
Rostovskaya M
(2022)
Capacitation of Human Naïve Pluripotent Stem Cells.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Rostovskaya M
(2022)
Maintenance of Human Naïve Pluripotent Stem Cells.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Rostovskaya M
(2022)
Amniogenesis occurs in two independent waves in primates.
in Cell stem cell
Description | CSaP Policy Workshop on Regulation of Reproductive Organoids |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to new or improved professional practice |
Description | Contributed to a national consultation carried out by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Contributed to the content and review of a POSTnote on human embryo models |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Delivered 'Continuing Professional Development' training to all staff at the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Authority |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Membership of an ISSCR working group to update the guidelines on human embryo models |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Membership of working group establishing a Code of Practice for working with human embryo models |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Presentation to the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Defining the epigenetic principles that instruct the development of human embryos |
Amount | £3,286,571 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 225839/Z/22/Z |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2023 |
End | 04/2031 |
Title | Flow Cytometry Analysis of Cell-Surface Markers to Identify Human Naïve Pluripotent Stem Cells |
Description | Flow Cytometry Analysis of Cell-Surface Markers to Identify Human Naïve Pluripotent Stem Cells |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Other researchers are using this method. |
Title | Induction of Human Naïve Pluripotency Using Chemical Resetting |
Description | Induction of Human Naïve Pluripotency Using Chemical Resetting |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Other researchers are using this method. |
Title | Methods of genome-wide CRISPR screening in human pluripotent stem cells |
Description | We have developed a method of lentivirus-mediated transduction of human pluripotent stem cells with a genome-wide library of gRNA expression vectors. The library consists of ~120,000 individual gRNAs targeting key exons of ~18,000 genes. This approach allows loss of function studies by recruitment of Cas9 to target sites. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Using this method, we uncovered a large set of genes that are either essential or that are impediments of human pluripotent stem cell reprogramming. This information enabled us to rationally design new ways to increase reprogramming efficiency by targeting key impediment factors with small molecule inhibitors. |
Title | Cell Stem Cell 2022 |
Description | (1) Partially primed and primed hPSC were treated with MAPK and NODAL inhibitors for 5 days, then the cells were collected for 10X single-cell RNAseq. (2) Partially primed hPSC were treated with MAPK and NODAL inhibitors for 5 days, the cells were collected on day 0, 1, 3, 5 for bulk RNAseq. Experiment was done in biological duplicates. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Other research groups have used and re-analysed our data sets, which has helped them to advance their own studies. |
Title | Development 2023 |
Description | Transcriptional profiles of naive human pluripotent stem cells at different timepoints following the acute knockdown of the transcription factor NANOG. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Other researchers are using the data. |
Title | Nature Cell Biology 2022 |
Description | A detailed proteomic comparison of naive and primed human pluripotent stem cells, incorporating histone protein and nuclear protein profiling, transcriptional profiling, and epigenetic profiling. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Other research groups are using the data. |
Title | eLife 2021 |
Description | The single cell RNA-seq data set describes the transcriptional changes following the treatment of human naive pluripotent stem cells with an inhibitor of the TGFb/Activin pathway. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Too early for impact |
Description | Austin Smith |
Organisation | University of Exeter |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have provided expertise in generating and interpreting epigenomics datasets during the transition from naive to primed states of competency. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners have provided expertise in generating new ideas about pluripotent state transitions and new methodologies to test this. |
Impact | We have a collaborative manuscript in review. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Aylwyn Scally |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Department | Department of Genetics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are collaborating on a research project to investigate the regulation and function of duplicated pseudogenes in human development and pluripotency. My team are contributing expertise, materials and resources related to the gene regulatory control of human pluripotent stem cells. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Scally team are leaders in evolutionary genetics and have been contributing expertise and computational analyses of pseudogenes in human evolution. |
Impact | The research collaboration is underway with no reported outputs so far. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Human Developmental Biology Initiative |
Organisation | Francis Crick Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My team are part of the Wellcome-funded Human Developmental Biology Initiative. Our specific contributions to this Initiative are to develop and apply multi-omic sequencing and computational assays to the study of human early embryo development. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other partners in the Initiative provide expertise in developmental biology, research tools such as lineage reporter embryos, ex vivo culture models etc. |
Impact | Too early for outputs and outcomes. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Human Developmental Biology Initiative |
Organisation | Newcastle University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | My team are part of the Wellcome-funded Human Developmental Biology Initiative. Our specific contributions to this Initiative are to develop and apply multi-omic sequencing and computational assays to the study of human early embryo development. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other partners in the Initiative provide expertise in developmental biology, research tools such as lineage reporter embryos, ex vivo culture models etc. |
Impact | Too early for outputs and outcomes. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Human Developmental Biology Initiative |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Department | Gurdon Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | My team are part of the Wellcome-funded Human Developmental Biology Initiative. Our specific contributions to this Initiative are to develop and apply multi-omic sequencing and computational assays to the study of human early embryo development. |
Collaborator Contribution | Other partners in the Initiative provide expertise in developmental biology, research tools such as lineage reporter embryos, ex vivo culture models etc. |
Impact | Too early for outputs and outcomes. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Mikhail Spivakov |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are working together on a research project aimed at understanding the role of poised enhancers in developmental gene regulation. My research team are contributing expertise, resources and materials related to human pluripotent cells, Polycomb-group proteins and developmental priming. |
Collaborator Contribution | The Spivakov group are leaders in the field of 3D genome organisation and transcriptional control, and they are providing expertise, resources and materials related to these topics. |
Impact | The project is underway with no outputs to date. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Vincent Pasque, Hendrik Marks and Maarten Dhaenens |
Organisation | Radboud University Nijmegen |
Department | Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS) |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | In this research collaboration, my team have provided knowledge and ideas about the chromatin-based regulation of human pluripotency, including associated chromatin protein and histone modification proteomic data sets. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have provided expert input into the mechanistic control of human naive pluripotent stem cell to trophoblast cell types, including a detailed transcriptional and phenotypic analysis of this process. They are also experts in histone and chromatin proteomics and have contributed exciting new data acquisition and analysis methods. Collectively we have uncovered new ways in which chromatin-modifying complexes restrict naive cell to trophoblast differentiation, potentially opening up new ways to think about how lineage restriction occurs during human early development. |
Impact | We have collectively generated new data sets. We are currently preparing a collaborative manuscript. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Vincent Pasque, Hendrik Marks and Maarten Dhaenens |
Organisation | University of Ghent |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | In this research collaboration, my team have provided knowledge and ideas about the chromatin-based regulation of human pluripotency, including associated chromatin protein and histone modification proteomic data sets. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have provided expert input into the mechanistic control of human naive pluripotent stem cell to trophoblast cell types, including a detailed transcriptional and phenotypic analysis of this process. They are also experts in histone and chromatin proteomics and have contributed exciting new data acquisition and analysis methods. Collectively we have uncovered new ways in which chromatin-modifying complexes restrict naive cell to trophoblast differentiation, potentially opening up new ways to think about how lineage restriction occurs during human early development. |
Impact | We have collectively generated new data sets. We are currently preparing a collaborative manuscript. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Vincent Pasque, Hendrik Marks and Maarten Dhaenens |
Organisation | University of Leuven |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | In this research collaboration, my team have provided knowledge and ideas about the chromatin-based regulation of human pluripotency, including associated chromatin protein and histone modification proteomic data sets. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators have provided expert input into the mechanistic control of human naive pluripotent stem cell to trophoblast cell types, including a detailed transcriptional and phenotypic analysis of this process. They are also experts in histone and chromatin proteomics and have contributed exciting new data acquisition and analysis methods. Collectively we have uncovered new ways in which chromatin-modifying complexes restrict naive cell to trophoblast differentiation, potentially opening up new ways to think about how lineage restriction occurs during human early development. |
Impact | We have collectively generated new data sets. We are currently preparing a collaborative manuscript. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | AMNIOTIC-LIKE EPITHELIAL CELL GENERATION |
Description | The present invention relates to a reliable method for producing amniotic-like epithelial cells, using a new methodology. The invention also relates to a composition and the use of said composition comprising amniotic-like epithelial cells or a preparation derived therefrom. Said cells may have particular utility in regenerative medicine, research and/or cosmetic preparations. |
IP Reference | WO2021240176 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2021 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | No impact yet, but we are developing the work and are talking with UK Catapults and Clinicians about ways to take it forward. |
Description | Babraham Institute Schools' Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | At Schools' Day, students from schools all over Cambridgeshire and beyond gather at the Institute to discover more about our world-leading bioscience research. Led by Institute researchers, secondary and sixth-form students complete hands-on lab projects. Often using equipment not available within schools, Schools' Day aims to enthuse, inspire and motivate students and provide insight into what life is really like in the lab. Schools' Day is for students in Years 10-13. Typically, up to 5 students per school or sixth form may attend, although more places may be offered if capacity allows. There is active outreach done to promote the opportunity to schools and students from areas of high deprivation and an associated travel bursary to enable this targeted audience approach." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.babraham.ac.uk/blog/SchoolsDay-2023 |
Description | HDBI Insights Group Presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Talk around human developmental biology with adult focus group made up of people with lived experiences followed by Q&A on research and Human Developmental Biology Initiative consortium |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | HDBI art-science cocreation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Participating in 1.5 h conversations with a sociologist, a policy expert from PET, an artist, other researchers and members of the HDBI Insights Group. They discussed their work with early human embryos, some historical context of this science, and listened to public perceptions and questions about it. The outcome of this is an interactive, digital artwork which will be presented in online and in-person settings (e.g. art exhibitions and festivals). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | HDBI public dialogue on research involving the use of human embryos |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Participants took part in a ~15 hour engagement project to develop their understanding of research invovling the use of human embryos and the regulations that govern this work and to engage in a deliberative dialogue process involving researchers, ethicisits, regulators, and healthcare practitioners. Through these diliberations an understanding of current public views, hopes, concerns and questions was geenrated to inform future research direction, research processes, and regulatory review. The participants invovled formed two main groups: one being a group broadly representative of the UK public, and the other being a group of poeple with lived experience to ensure a diverse range of views were included in the discussion. This project was supported by UKRI Sciencewise funding and through a Wellcome Enrichment Grant linked to the Human Developmental Biology Initiative research project. Results from this project have informed research practice at an Institue and national level. Results have also informed review processes currently being undertaken by the regulators in this area of research to ensure public voices are at the heart of national conversations. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://hdbi.org/public-dialogue |
Description | Meet a Bioscientist 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Virtual research and career talk with extended Q&A. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Press release 'Epigenetic switch helps keep early embryo cells on the right track' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release and news item on the Institute's website 'Epigenetic switch helps keep early embryo cells on the right track' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2022/06/epigenetic-switch-helps-keep-early-embryo-cells-right-track |
Description | Press release 'Stem cell secrets allow researchers to revamp reprogramming' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release and news article 'Stem cell secrets allow researchers to revamp reprogramming' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.babraham.ac.uk/news/2022/03/stem-cell-secrets-allow-researchers-revamp-reprogramming |
Description | Public dialogue on stem cell embryo model Code of Practice |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | Participants took part in a multi-event public dialogue to explore public thoughts around the use of stem cell embryo models in research and the regualtions governing their use. The deliberative discussions focused around an emerging code of practice being formed from professional stakeholder discussions, and led by Cambridge Reproduction, to gather public feed-in to this process and ensure their voices are heard going forward as this area of regulation develops. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Scientist Stories |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Video interview with Adam Bendall, a research student, who speaks about his career and research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObRgxCnWNiM |
Description | Sixth Form Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Further education students present research posters which are judged by researcher staff following conversations around their work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.babraham.ac.uk/events/2022/07/sixth-form-conference-2022-healthy-ageing |
Description | Student summer placement |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A work experience day for an A-level biology student from a local school that formed part of a larger summer placement for the student at the Institute. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |