PME Distinguished Colloquium Series Seminar - Stem Cells and Their Niches

Adult tissue stem cells have the ability to self-renew long-term and differentiate into one or more tissues. To meet the markedly different tissue demands of organs, some stem cells, like the epidermis and the intestine perpetually generate their tissues, while others, such as the lactating mammary gland and the hair follicle do so in bursts. Many stem cells are used sparingly to replenish cells during normal homeostasis. However, even stem cells that are quiescent, like those of the hair follicle, hematopoietic system, and skeletal muscle, must be able to respond quickly to injury in order to fuel rapid tissue regeneration. How stem cells balance self-renewal and differentiation is of fundamental importance to our understanding of normal tissue maintenance and wound repair. The regulatory circuitry governing this normal balancing act occurs between the stem cells and their microenvironments (niches). It must be intricately regulated in normal homeostasis, and then transiently altered to cope with injury responses. Our focus has centered on how at a molecular level, stem cells perceive and respond to these cues to alter their program of gene expression and execute their tasks as sentinals of their tissue.<br /><br />

Host: Prof. Joyce Chen

<a href="https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/94841547371?pwd=a2lmY1ZtOEFWSXRhdEsvaW45R2s2… Link</a>