About EuroSyStem
Combining biological and computational approaches
EuroSyStem began by bringing together leading stem cell scientists from eight European countries. Their aim was to further understand stem cell science by combining both biological and computational techniques. Understanding how stem cells work means that their potential for treating disease can be fully realised in the future. EuroSyStem has made significant progress in each of its scientific areas. It has also established a network of stem cell scientists, now spanning 17 countries and 61 research groups, and has provided quality training and collaborative research opportunities.
New understanding in stem cell biology
Insights into blood stem cells
Understanding how blood stem cells work could lead to improved therapies for leukaemias. One of our achievements has been the discovery that blood stem cells can be active or dormant, and in the bone marrow they are present in both of these states. To help us understand the reversible switching of these stem cells from active to dormant, we have developed a mathematical model which can account for the change between states. We have also produced a database which holds a large collection of information about how different genes work in different groups of blood cells. This invaluable tool will allow all stem cell scientists to look in detail at the underlying mechanisms that control blood stem cell behaviour.
Stem cells in the intestine (shown in green)
Epithelial stem cells
Epithelia are a type of tissue that lines cavities and surfaces in the body. Examples include the cornea of the eye, the layers of the skin and the lining of the lungs. Our investigations into the workings of stem cells in epithelia have led to some significant discoveries. These have included identifying and characterising the stem cells found in the intestine. We have also found that if epithelial cells from the thymus are placed in a skin environment some of them begin producing skin hair follicle stem cells. This demonstrates that in some situations stem cells from one tissue can make the specialised cells from quite a different tissue - the stem cells change their fate when their environment is changed.
Reprogramming cells
The new and rapidly moving field of reprogramming cells is an exciting area of research, which will allow scientists to develop robust ways of controlling cell fate. With these developments comes the hope of safely generating any cell type in the lab. Made from a patient’s already differentiated cells, these lab-grown cells could be used in therapy and in drug development.
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are cells that have been reprogrammed to act like the stem cells that are found in the embryo. Our scientists have, for the first time, shown that cells which are not completely reprogrammed are in an in-between stage from which they can be induced to give fully pluripotent cells. We have also made several key discoveries about the factors that control pluripotency. A patent based on this research has been commercially licensed.
Understanding the control of cell fate
Thymus cells are reprogrammed when placed in a new environmentWe have made progress unravelling the complex network of factors (such as genes or proteins) that controls the pathway a stem cell takes, whether it is travelling along the road to self-renewal or differentiation. Our progress in this area includes increased understanding of the networks controlling the progenitor (or precursor) cells in the embryo that lead to muscle development; muscle cell differentiation and regeneration; blood stem cell self-renewal and differentiation; and nervous system stem cell self-renewal, growth and differentiation.
New technologies and software tools
The sheer volume of data that can be obtained with new technologies means that scientists require computational tools to process these data and carry out complex analyses. We are pioneering techniques and software for looking at the activity of genes in single stem cells. We have developed an automated machine for collecting individual stem cells or groups of stem cells grown in the lab. We have also built StemDB, a database to capture all of our results and to be used as a tool by others. This depository will be shared with other stem cell researchers, increasing the impact of our research results and enhancing collaboration.
Outreach and training
Schools outreach in actionEuroSyStem is committed to bringing stem cell science to the people of Europe to ensure that accurate and quality information is available, and to open debate about the issues surrounding this area of research.
Our scientists support EuroStemcell: Europe's stem cell hub, providing stem cell news, views and educational resources. EuroSyStem researchers write articles and share comments on the EuroStemCell website, and we have developed and evaluated the school resources All about stem cells and Discover stem cells. Several of our scientists are helping translate these materials and deliver the lessons Europe-wide. Meeting people face to face is the best way of engaging in dialogue. We have collaborated with the International Society for Stem Cell Research to run a public symposium in Barcelona, and have participated in the delivery of a stem cell day for 1,000 school students in Milan. We are also developing a toolkit of interactive resources to support our researchers in delivering quality open days and science festivals.
To foster a new generation of the highest quality stem cell scientists, EuroSySystem has delivered three summer schools for junior researchers as part of the Hydra Summer Schools on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine. Through discussion with leading scientists from across Europe and the opportunity for networking, students forge links that will continue throughout their careers.
Further information
Useful background:
- Animations of stem cells in the intestine provided by the Clevers research lab
- Press release on research paper by Bonfanti et al about reprogramming thymic cells
- EuroStemCell factsheets for more information on blood stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells
More on EuroSyStem and its research:
Image credits
Cell images courtesy of EuroSyStem.
