Creation of a new thematic unit: GIGA-Stem Cells
Several laboratories have decided to combine their strength and expertise in the field of stem cell research as a result of the lack of visibility of this topic at GIGA-R, which is covered in all major international research centers. The researchers of these laboratory have decided to strengthen their existing collaborations by joining their forces in an new thematic unit, expecting for more synergistic exchanges and common scientific animation around the topic. The creation of this unit also meet the major interest of the University Hospital (CHU) to invest additional effort towards the development of innovative cellular therapies.
Stem cells and progenitors are required for building our tissues during embryonic development and for maintaining tissue homeostasis during adulthood. However, these cells also sustain tumor growth and dissemination during the cancerization process. Our work focuses in particular on stems cells of the nervous system and the pancreas, as well as the ones responsible in cancer development, metastasis formation and in the resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Our research involved several animal models (mouse, fly and zebra fish) as well as in vitro 2D or 3D (organoids) human culture models derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) or cancer patient biopsies. One important task of our research unit is, together with clinicians, to improve our knowledge of molecular mechanisms that control the biology of stem cells and progenitors and that could contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies to treat cancer and neurological or metabolic disorders.
Laboratories
- Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis
Laurent Nguyen (Head of the unit) - Laboratory of Medical Chemistry
Alain Chariot - Laboratory of Cancer Signaling
Pierre Close - Laboratory of developmental Neurobiology
Brigitte Malgrange - Laboratory of Zebrafish Development and Disease Models
Bernard Peers, Marianne Voz, Isabelle Manfroid - Laboratory of Hematology
Yves Beguin
CHU (Universitary hospital) associated clinicians
Vincenzo D'Orio, Service des Urgences
Philippe Lefebvre, Service ORL
