Centre of Excellence in Stem Cell Metabolism
Description of the granted funding
The rapid advancement of stem cell research creates a foundation for future therapeutic strategies spanning from organ replacements to treatment of diabetes and neurodegenerative disease, and to aging-related frailty and disease. To fully realize the potential of stem cell based strategies, we must first understand the cellular processes critical for stem cell function. We have discovered that metabolism is a potent driver of stem cell fate and that metabolic interventions can guide stem cell function. Subsequently, we have for example succeeded in producing near-mature stem cell derived pancreatic islets, that produce insulin in response to elevated glucose. During the second term, we will focus on illuminating how metabolism controls differentiation of stem cells in a tissue environment, and whether metabolic tools can be used to enhance the maturation of lab-grown pancreatic islets for stem cell based diabetes therapy.
Show moreStarting year
2023
End year
2025
Granted funding
Funder
Research Council of Finland
Funding instrument
Centre of Excellence programmes
Other information
Funding decision number
353010
Fields of science
Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
Research fields
Solu- ja molekyylibiologia