HSU CIRM Scholars will spend 12 months working in the laboratory of a host Principle Investigator (PI) at either Stanford University Center for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Education or The University of California, San Francisco Institute for Regenerative Medicine (UCSF). Scholars will also enroll in a CIRM Human Embryonic Stem Cell Training Course.
Each scholar receives a monthly salary of $2,500 for their work in addition to $5,000 toward HSU tuition and fees. The scholars will return to HSU in July 2010 for a Stem Cell Symposium, in which they will present 50 minute talks summarizing their research from the year.
The HSU CIRM Scholars Program is funded by a $1.6 million dollar grant from CIRM to promote undergraduate training in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In addition to the scholars program, the grant will support stem cell training and education opportunities at Humboldt State, including a seminar series in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine (to begin spring 2010), laboratory supplies for core courses in cellular and molecular biology, including our new stem cell research methods course, journal subscriptions, and the development and delivery of an upper division general education course in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
HSU will be accepting applications for the 2010/2011 HSU CIRM Scholars program in spring 2010.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Jacob Varkey at JPV1@humboldt.edu or Dr. Amy Sprowles at AES54@humboldt.edu.
The HSU students participating in the CIRM Scholars Program are:
• Humberto Contreras (’10) ; Host research mentor: Irving Weissman, Stanford University. Research Topic: Stem Cells, Cancer and Leukemia
• Sara Louise Downey (’10); Host research mentor: Joseph Costello, UCSF. Research Topic: Genetic and epigenetic alterations in the development of sporadic cancers
• Spenser Falor-Ward (’10); Host research mentor: Allan Balmain, UCSF. Research Topic: Molecular mechanisms of multistage carcinogenesis in skin
• Elizabeth Gould (’10); Host research mentor: Dr. Theo Palmer, Stanford University. Research Topic: Neuronal precursor cell derived treatment for diminished neurogenesis and neurodegenerative disease
• Timothy Laurent (’10); Host research mentor: Robert Blelloch, UCSF. Research Topic: Molecular mechanisms cellular differentiation and de-differentiation in development and cancer; with an emphasis on microRNA .
• Logan Linthicum (’10); Host research mentor: Pamela Denbesten, UCSF. Research Topic: Ameloblast differentiation from human embryonic stem cells and whole tooth generation
• Robin Martin (’09); Host research mentor : Irving Weissman, Stanford University. Research Topic: Stem Cells, Cancer and Leukemia
Additional information about the research projects in the Host Laboratories:
The Weissman lab research encompasses the phylogeny and developmental biology of the cells that make up the blood-forming and immune systems. Among the multiple projects currently in progress is the characterization and targeting of novel cell-surface proteins on cancer stem cells that enable them to evade the host’s natural immune system. Successful targeting of these cell-surface proteins with antibodies enable host T cells and macrophages to eliminate cancer stem cells naturally, a difficult feat with the traditional invasive therapies of chemo and radiation treatment. So far, mice have effectively been cured of lymphomas and leukemia using this antibody treatment, and a variety of other cancers are being tested as well with human trials on the horizon.
The Costello lab investigates the role of genetic and epigenetic alterations in the development of sporadic cancers, with a focus on brain cancer — specifically glioblastoma multiform (GBM). Deletion and aberrant methylation are prevalent in tumorigenesis, yet the interaction of these gene inactivation mechanisms on a genome-wide scale is entirely unknown. By integrating the genomic and epigenomic approaches, we assess the interaction of genome copy number changes and aberrant gene methylation in tumors.
The Balmain labs’ main research interests have been the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of multistage carcinogenesis, with particular emphasis on mouse models of chemically induced skin tumor development.
Palmer Lab Summary: Neural precursor cells (NPC) possess the ability differentiate into mature neurons. Transplantation of NPCs may help to alleviate conditions of diminished neurogenesis and neurodegenerative disease by providing a source of new neurons. My work is focused on understanding how the immune system reacts to transplanted NPCs in a murine model.
Blelloch Lab Summary: The Blelloch Lab is engaged in the investigation of the molecular underpinnings of cellular differentiation and de-differentiation especially as related to normal development and the aberrant development of cancer. Toward this end, the roles of non-coding RNAs, i.e. micro RNAs, are of special interest to the lab because of their ability to cause widespread changes in the cellular environment. Working in this context the lab has made advances in methodology for reprogramming somatic cells to become stem cells in mice and is currently working to translate this to human cell lines.
The Denbesten lab focuses on whole-tooth regeneration, both for direct clinical application and as a model for organogenesis in general. A major hindrance to the goal of tooth regeneration is that Ameloblasts (the cells responsible for secreting proteins which direct the formation of tooth enamel) are no longer present after teeth have erupted. My lab is currently engaged if efforts to identify the factors capable of promoting Ameloblast differentiation from human embryonic stem cells.