AG Uchida

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Background

Adult stem cells are an important source for the regeneration of damaged body parts. Unlike fish and amphibians, the regeneration capacity of human tissues is rather limited. Therefore, one might ask for reasons that led to the loss of regenerative capacity during evolution. Although intensive efforts have been made, we still cannot answer this question definitively. Recent advances in so-called “-omics” (e.g. transcriptomics, proteomics) technologies allowed researchers to obtain detailed views of both mRNA and protein expression levels at a different time points during regeneration and tissue repair. It is now possible to make a series of snap shots to characterize stem cell activities at various stages. Recent findings have revealed an enormous plasticity of different cell types reaffirming the landscape model of cell differentiation. Apparently, differentiation of stem cells into a certain lineage is not a fixed process but rather a delicate balance, in which different signaling pathways are involved. To understand this balance, it is utmost importance to profile and catalog changes that occur during the differentiation process of stem cells both at mRNA and protein levels.

To study the roles of adult stem cells to tissue homeostasis, we are employing various biological techniques (e.g. molecular and developmental biology) using model organisms (rat, mouse, chicken and zebrafish) and bioinformatics methods. We are also collaborating with medical doctors (Kerckhoff Hospital, University of Giessen and Marburg, University of Kiel, etc.) to identify potential biomarkers to better diagnose patients with cardiovascular diseases and possibly cure them through cardiovascular regenerative medicine using adult stem cells. To facilitate such approaches, we are currently lineage tracing adult stem cells using transgenic mouse system, employing loss-of-functional studies using knockdown methods (shRNAs and morpholinos) and developing bioinformatics tools (e.g. web interface and databases).

Group Members

Publications

Bioinformatic Tools

• Gene Array Analyzer: web interface to analyze Affymetrix's Gene Array
• Exon Array Analyzer:  web interface to analyze Affymetrix’s Exon Arrays

• C-It:  knowledge database for evolutionary-conserved, tissue-enriched genes with unknown functions

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