Investigation of cellular and molecular mechanisms on in vitro induced toti- and pluripotency acquisition - a translational approach

Abstract

Cellular reprogramming technologies are a promising tool for the understanding of pluripotent cell biology and also to study several genetic and tissue-related disorders, enabling the investigation of the molecular events responsible for the acquisition of competency into pluri- and totipotency. This proposal aims to consolidate procedures for the generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and germ cells in vitro from domestic species of commercial and biomedical interest (focus on cattle and swine) by investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cellular reprogramming, and by disseminating protocols and biological material for collaborations. Three general goals are proposed: 1) The standardization of safe and reproducible protocols of iPS generation, 2) The generation of germ cells, gametes and embryos from in vitro cultured cells, and 3) The investigation of transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms of cellular reprogramming in domestic animals. The results achieved by this proposal will consolidate national research on nuclear and epigenetic reprogramming, allow the international insertion through scientific collaborations and high impact scientific publications, finally resulting in the formation of a multidisciplinary, competitive and collaborative research group both nationally and internationally. (AU)