A new collaboration between UBC researchers, Genome BC and STEMCELL Technologies aims to accelerate stem cell research and its use in developing new disease treatments.
Stem cells possess the unique ability to develop into other types of cells in the human body. This makes them a valuable tool for medical research and potential treatments. However, the process of guiding stem cells to differentiate into specific cell types, such as heart, brain or liver cells, can be time-consuming and complex.
To address this challenge, UBC researchers, supported by Genome BC and in-kind support from STEMCELL, are investigating a new way to use proteins called transcription factors, which act as molecular switches, to control how cells develop. The research team aims to significantly reduce the time required to generate specific cell types by identifying the optimal combination of transcription factors.
“This research has the potential to streamline the development of new therapies for a range of diseases,” said Dr. Nozomu Yachie, lead researcher from UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering. “By accelerating the process of generating specific cell types, we can expedite the discovery and testing of new treatments.”
STEMCELL, a leading provider of cell culture media and reagents, plans to translate the findings of this research into innovative products that will enable scientists worldwide to advance stem cell research and develop new therapies.
“This partnership with Genome BC and UBC demonstrates STEMCELL’s unwavering commitment to advancing groundbreaking discoveries through collaborations with academic institutions and other members of the life sciences community,” says Dr. Sharon Louis, senior vice president, research and development, STEMCELL Technologies. “STEMCELL’s goal is to create new products and technologies that accelerate stem cell research to enable scientists to develop new treatments for cancer and a variety of diseases. We are excited about the potential cutting-edge outcomes of this project and the significant impacts they are sure to have on advancing research and helping patients here in British Columbia and around the world.”
Genome BC says its support of this project underscores its commitment to fostering innovation in life sciences and health research in British Columbia. By facilitating collaborations between academia and industry, Genome BC aims to drive scientific discovery and improve human health.
“Genome BC is thrilled to support this collaborative project, which can potentially advance stem cell research in ways that will directly benefit therapeutic development,” says Dr. Federica Di Palma, chief scientific officer and vice president of research and innovation, Genome BC. “Speeding up the time it takes to generate specific cell types would be a valuable asset to the scientific community and help drive innovations for some of our most pressing medical challenges.”
A version of this story originally appeared on the Genome BC website.