Embryonic stem cells (ESC) can remain in the pluripotent state and propagate or differentiate towards a certain cell lineage. It remains largely unknown how the ESCs maintain the meta-stable self-renewing pluripotent state and why they eventually may commit differentiation.
Based on previously published data we have reconstructed pluripotency gene regulatory network (PGRN), identified gene network motifs essential to self renewal and suggested model scenarios explaining stabilization or safeguarding of pluripotency.
Assessment of expression of multiple genes in hundreds of individual ESCs revealed subpopulations of cells present in ESCs grown on a standard and modified (2i) media conditions. The identified subpopulational structure of ESCs pointed to a model scenario, where a single, hierarchically higher, earlier, totipotent ESC state is progressively subdivides into two more mature pluripotent cell states, comprising two ESC subpopulations.
Potential medical applications based on ESCs are highly sensitive to the purity of ESCs populations and the phenotypic variations observed among ESCs.
SPEAKER INTRODUCTION:
Prof. Papatsenko received his diploma (MS) in Molecular Biology from Moscow State University in 1991 and his PhD from Engelgardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow in 1995.
In 1996 he moved to The Rockefeller University (New York, USA) to study gene regulation and development in Drosophila. At the Rockefeller University Prof. Papatsenko introduced systems analysis of genes controlling early fly development and proposed models for spatial gene expression in Drosophila.
In 2004 Prof. Papatsenko accepted position of a researcher at The University of California, Berkeley, where he introduced quantitative models explaining functioning of developmental gene networks and progression of early stages of development in Drosophila and other model organisms
In 2010 Prof. Papatsenko moved to Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, as an Assistant Professor to study gene networks in embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells.
Prof. Papatsenko’s scientific interests include reconstruction and modeling gene regulatory networks controlling development and differentiation.
When:
October 15, 2013
13.00 – 14.30
Where:
Beijing – 1 Auditorium
Skolkovo School of Management
