From cell plasticity to regenerative medicine
Strasburg
How differentiated cells can change their identity is a fascinating question in biology and has implications for the development of regenerative medicine strategies. Numerous examples of cellular plasticity in physiological, experimental and pathological settings exist, but precisely how a differentiated cell can change its identity remains unknown. Our research tackles this important question by employing a powerful and innovative model, the nematode C. elegans. Our work has established the worm as a new model to study cellular reprogramming in vivo at the single cell level. Because of the C. elegans invariant cellular lineage, our system gives us access to all the steps of the process, including the early ones, a unique asset. We investigate how specific cells, but not their neighbours, become competent to be reprogrammed. We have begun the systematic identification of the molecular networks and the dissection of the cellular requirements underlying direct cell type conversion in vivo. In addition, we are investigating the following fascinating questions: How can new neurons be generated through reprogramming? What are the cellular steps between 2 identities? Since the differentiated cell identity is usually safely maintained, what are the mechanisms that unlock this maintenance? What is the function of new neurons made by reprogramming and how do they integrate into existing neuronal networks? To tackle these questions, our research goes from the single cell to an integrated view of the organism in its environment. These integrated approaches will contribute to unravel the key mechanisms that allow a differentiated cell to become plastic and change its identity. Such knowledge has significant therapeutic implications, as it will deepen our understanding of the initiation of certain cancers, and will improve our ability to reprogram cells for regenerative medicine purposes.
Research team webpage: https://www.igbmc.fr/equipes/plasticite-cellulaire-et-reprogrammation-directe-chez-c-elegans
