CNS stem cells

The research in Dr. Lillien's laboratory addresses the mechanisms that regulate proliferation, cell fate determination, and migration in the developing cerebral cortex and retina. Environmental signals and intrinsic differences among progenitor cells contribute to the regulation of these processes, and their relative contributions are studied by using retrovirus mediated gene transfer. We are particularly interested in defining the molecular basis of intrinsic differences among neural stem cells. This information will facilitate the design of stem cells that are optimal for specific clinical applications.

Students in Dr. Lillien's laboratory will have the opportunity to construct recombinant retroviruses expressing wild type and mutant genes, infect progenitor cells in the cortex or retina of rats and mice in vitro and in vivo with these viruses, generate genetically engineered CNS stem cells and transplant them into embryonic and postnatal forebrain.

Lillien, L. Changes in retinal cell fate induced by overexpression of EGF receptor. Nature 377: 158-162, 1995.

Burrows, R.C., Wancio, D., Levitt, P., and Lillien, L. Response diversity and the timing of progenitor cell maturation are regulated by developmental changes in EGF-R expression in the cortex. Neuron 19: 251-267, 1997.

Lillien, L. Neural progenitors and stem cells: mechanisms of progenitor heterogeneity. Curr. Op. Neurobiol. 8: 37-44, 1998.

Lillien, L., and Wancio, D. Changes in epidermal growth factor receptor expression and competence to generate glia regulate timing and choice of differentiation in the retina. Molec. Cell. Neurosci. 10:296-308, 1999.

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