Role of chromatin structure in the regulation of stem cell function

Funded Activity Summary

The aim of this project is to understand more about the nature of stem cells. Stem cells are cells which have the capacity to proliferate indefinitely but, at the same time, retain the capacity to differentiate into one or more cell types. Lower animals, such as amphibians, have a much greater capacity than humans to regenerate body parts. For example, axolotls can regenerate an entire limb if one limb is injured. This is because they retain undifferentiated stem cells in their limbs which can be reactivated in the event of injury. Interestingly the adult human brain contains a small population of stem cells. The aim of this project is to find out more about how these cells remain undifferentiated and what is it about them which allows them to form different cell types. If more is known about these cells maybe in the future it will be possible to stimulate them to repair damaged parts of the nervous system. It may also be possible to treat people suffering from diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or spinal injuries.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2001

End Date: 01-01-2003

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $272,036.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Neurogenetics

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Cerebral cortex development | Chromatin structure | Congenital defects of the nervous system | Histone acetyltransferases | Mental retardation | Neuronal differentiation | Stem cell regulation | de Lange Syndrome | neural tube defects | neurodegenerative diseases

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