Guest speaker:
Peter Zandstra
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Bioengineering
University of Toronto

Communication networks between cells and tissues regulate development, homeostasis and regeneration. Inter-cellular (between-cell) communication networks are particularly relevant in stem cell biology as nascent or reinitiated developmental programs often depend upon the participation of stem cells for success. We have recently undertaken a series of studies to learn the complex language of endogenously produced soluble messages that regulate stem cell proliferation and differentiation. To develop a more in-depth and mechanistic understanding of this non autonomous control of stem cell fate we are engineering and interrogating synthetic stem cell niches, focusing on how control of specific niche parameters can be used to guide somatic (blood) and pluripotent stem cell fate. Together, these studies are yielding fundamental insight into how to create local microenvironments (niches) to receive transplanted cells or to stimulate endogenous stem cells to regenerate damaged cells and tissues.