March

A University of Galway professor has received a Discovery Award from Wellcome Trust to lead a project investigating how stem cells make fate decisions. Professor Uri Frank, who conducts research at the University's Centre for Chromosome Biology, is to lead a study to address a fundamental question in developmental and stem cell biology - namely how do stem cells know which cell type they should become in the right time and location? Professor Frank's team has been working on stem cell biology using an unconventional animal model – the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, a close relative of jellyfish and corals. The cnidarian is highly regenerative, being able to regrow any lost body part. Also of interest is Hydractinia's ability to evade the consequences of time; these animals do not age and normally do not succumb to cancer or any other age-related disease. Professor Uri Frank said: "I am delighted to be granted a Discovery Award from Wellcome. This funding will allow us to expand the basic knowledge on stem cells. Discoveries we make in Hydractinia are likely to be relevant to other animals' stem cells, including those of humans.” The unusual traits displayed by Hydractinia are based on a population of stem cells that are the subject of the study. These cells, known as i-cells, are functionally related to early embryonic cells of humans. Like their human counterparts, Hydractinia i-cells can give rise to all cell types of the body. Other than human embryonic cells, which only exist during a narrow time window in early embryos, i-cells are retained through Hydractinia adult life. This uniquely makes them accessible for research in a whole-animal context. Stem cells are unspecialised cells, defined by their ability to self-renew and become a specialised cell type such as muscle, neuron, or skin cells. When stem cells differentiate into specific cell types, they are said to make a "fate decision" - the process by which a stem cell commits to becoming a particular type of specialised cell rather than maintaining its stem cell state or choosing a different specialisation path. Stem cells act in development, regeneration, and during maintenance of adult tissues. The Wellcome Trust Discovery Award provides funding for established researchers and teams who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. Ends