Using tissue and cell engineering to improve efficacy and reduce immunogenicity in nerve repair
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: School of Pharmacy
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) can cause life-long damage to the injured nerve and target organs, leading to a decrease in quality of life. These injury types are complex to recover from as outcomes are so varied and the needs of patients differ hugely. A potential treatment is the implantation of cellular materials at the injured site to improve nerve repair. Further research is required to improve this technology, particularly by making the cells safe and effective. During this project I will be focussing on the following points:
1 Find the most suitable differentiation protocol and initial cell type (iPSCs/ESCs from varying origins) for conditional immortalisation.
2 Explore the best method for conditional immortalisation of the chosen cell type
3 Moving forward: looking at the immune responses to engineered neural tissue (EngNT) and exploration of strategies to avoid immune rejection, either by genetically engineering cells, masking cells using biomaterials or a combination of both.
1 Find the most suitable differentiation protocol and initial cell type (iPSCs/ESCs from varying origins) for conditional immortalisation.
2 Explore the best method for conditional immortalisation of the chosen cell type
3 Moving forward: looking at the immune responses to engineered neural tissue (EngNT) and exploration of strategies to avoid immune rejection, either by genetically engineering cells, masking cells using biomaterials or a combination of both.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR/N013867/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2025 | |||
| 1906358 | Studentship | MR/N013867/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2022 |
| Description | Nerve Injury Community Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Patients and families of patients with peripheral nerve injuries were invited to UCL School of Pharmacy to attend workshops and seminars about peripheral nerve injury repair research and developments. There was a stall area with attendees from patient groups, charities, clinicians and the research stall which I was involved in preparing and presenting at. The event generated much discussion between researchers and patients and their families, as well as between patients. It allowed sharing of experiences and advice on living with and recovering from nerve injury. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.ucl.ac.uk/pharmacy/news/2019/nov/nerve-injury-community-day-16-november-2019 |
| Description | The phenotype of Schwann cells differentiated from human iPSCs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation at the 5th International Symposium on Peripheral Nerve Injury 2019 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/site/0ispnr0 |