cortex

Project number:

603

Project title:

The electrophysiological properties of stem cells implanted into CNS lesions studied by the patch-clamp method

Project supervisor:

Project description:

Advances in stem cell research have opened new possibilities for repairing lesions in the central nervous system. Stem cells have the capacity to migrate towards lesions and induce or facilitate site-dependent differentiation in response to environmental signals. Transplanted stem cells can either replace missing populations of cells or rescue cells in the injured brain or spinal cord by the production of cytokines (interleukins) and/or neurotrophic factors that facilitate regeneration. Different types of stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, bone marrow stromal cells, neural stem cells and olfactory ensheathing glial cells, have been transplanted successfully in animal models of CNS disease or injury. The results of such transplantation studies have been encouraging to date, but the mechanisms underlying the improvements seen remain to be determined. Recent evidence has suggested that transplanted neural stem cells and embryonic stem cells can differentiate into a variety of functional nerve cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and neurons) following implantation. However, there is very little data to date about the functional properties of such cells in vivo following transplantation or about their ability to integrate into the host’s neural networks. This project will focus on studies of the survival, differentiation, functional status, membrane properties and ultimate integration of such cells into the host nervous tissue by use of the patch-clamp method of electrophysiological analysis. Such analysis will also enable investigations of the functional consequences of various approaches to the in vitro differentiation of stem cells prior to their transplantation into the CNS.

Possible cortex partners for rotation:

Partner 4, London: synaptic transmission studies of differentiated cells following transplantation, integration of stem cells into neural networks, patch-clamp techniques

Partner 5, Oslo: pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, electrophysiological techniques