Project R-5913

The role of redox-directed stem cell processes: an in vivo perspective (Research)

Ageing processes, cancer and degenerative diseases go hand in hand with a disturbed redox balance. Also during regeneration, the redox balance appears to have a vital role in directing stem cell processes. The current proposal aims to investigate this issue, by exploring the redox signature during regeneration at multiple biological levels. Secondly, stem cell processes will be studied after knock down of important redox regulators. As a model organism, the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea will be used. Planarians have re-emerged as a powerful model organism in the field of regenerative medicine attracting many of the best young researchers. With their pool of adult pluripotent stem cells, with vast differentiation potentials that allow unparalleled regenerative abilities, planarians offer the unique opportunity to study regeneration, stem cells and their underlying mechanisms in vivo in an adult organism. We strongly believe that a deep knowledge of the mechanisms controlling planarian regeneration and stem cells is of significant relevance for the field of regenerative and stem cell biology.

01 January 2015 - 31 December 2017