Projects
Totipotency versus fate in human embryonic stem cells Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Derivation of bovine embryonic stem cells Ghent University
An innovative approach will be followed to derive bovine embryonic stem cells (ESC). First, we will create different embryos for ESC derivation: (1) ‘giant’ blastocysts to evaluate the influence of cell mass, (2) in vivo embryos, since their cells display more pluripotency characteristics and (3) diapaused embryos which are probably better ESC donors. Besides, extrinsic factors like culture conditions will be evaluated.
Effect of chromosomal abnormalities on the differentiation potential and malignant characteristics of human embryonic stem cells Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Identification of the key gene of 18q deletions: human embryonic stem cells as a research model in oncogenetics Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Functional analysis of miR-145 and miR-218 in bovine blastocysts and human embryonic stem cells Ghent University
microRNAU+2019s are important regulators of gene expression networks. For most of them the exact role is unknown. In previous work our research group has shown that miR-145 and miR-218 are expressed in bovine blastocysts and are potential regulators of plurypotency U+2013 cell differentiation. The aim of this PhD project is to test several hypothesis in this framework.
Derivation of embryonic stem cells from SPRET/Ei, an inbred strain from the wild species Mus spretus Ghent University
We want to derive ES-cells from the mouse strain SPRET/Ei. This way, we want to expand the toolbox of techniques and applications to genetically manipulate mammals. We will do this by isolating preantral follikels from young SPRET-Ei females and let them mature in vitro. The matured oocytes will then be fertilized in vitro with SPRET/Ei sperm and the rsulting zygotes will be kept in culture till the blastocyst stage. These blastocysts will ...
Manipulating cell fate during embryonic development and stem cell derivation Ghent University
The first differentiation of the embryo occurs at the blastocyst stage with the formation of the trophectoderm and inner cell mass. Subsequently, the inner cell mass forms the hypoblast and epiblast. By the use of small molecules, these segregations can be influenced. Question remains how this affects embryonic stem cell derivation.
Chromosomal abnormalities in human preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells: causes, mechanisms and consequences for IVF and regenerative medicine Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Naive human embryonic stem cells: the new contender? Ghent University
Recent breakthroughs have described the production of human embryonic stem cells which resemble more the mouse counterparts. These stem cells possess a naive state of pluripotency, in contrast to 'primed' stem cells which show already some differentiation. Different culture protocols enable the derivation of naive human embryonic stem cells, but the question remains which protocol gives rise to the similar naive pluripotency state as in ...