Using chimaeras to investigate cell lineage specification in early mammalian development
| Dates: | 9 June 2015 |
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| Times: | 13:00 - 14:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff |
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| Speaker: | Jenny Nichols |
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The ability of early mammalian embryos to incorporate donor embryonic stem (ES) cells has proved an invaluable tool for many aspects of biomedical research, including investigation of cell potency and cell fate decisions. We are interested in how the embryo 'chooses' which cells integrate into the developing embryo, which is an important prerequisite for exit from pluripotency and differentiation in vivo. Using time-lapse imaging, we have found that, when challenged with a heterogeneous mix of undifferentiated and differentiating ES cells, the host embryo apparently destroys selectively those that are beginning to differentiate. However, when only differentiating cells are provided, some are incorporated, reflecting the potential of the embryonic environment to expedite diversion from differentiation priming. We also use chimaeras to investigate the role of FGF signalling in host cell fate decisions in a physiologically-relevant context. We have previously shown that provision of ES cells, but not exogenous FGF, can rescue primitive endoderm formation in Oct4 null embryos (Le Bin et al., 2014). We are now establishing collaborations to explore in more detail the mechanism by which cell fates are specified and balanced during early development using modifications of the highly flexible ex vivo chimaera system.
Speaker
Jenny Nichols
Role: Dr
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Travel and Contact Information
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Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
