Regulation of embryonic stem cell growth and differentiation

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Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent, immortal cell lines that can under appropriate circumstances differentiate into all somatic cell types. This extraordinary property means that ES cells represent a potentially inexhaustible source of normal cells for studying biological processes, drug discovery and cell-based therapies. However, the adverse effects of long-term culture on the potency and safety of these cell lines is a severe limitation to the realisation of their potential. To improve our ability to generate and reliably propagate ES cell lines, particularly human ES cells, it is essential that we understand better the growth properties of these unique cells in culture. This project willl investigate the growth requirements and underlying regulatory mechanisms of ES cells propagated in chemically defined media. The work will be underpinned by ES cell expertise at both Roslin Institute and Stem cell Sciences UK Ltd and will be jointly supervised by Tom Burdon at roslin Institute and Professor Ian Wilmut at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine,University of Edinburgh.

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