Dr. Irene de Lázaro
(University of Harvard and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, USA)
Overexpression of Oct3/4, Klf4, Sox2 and c-Myc (OKSM) transcription factors in adult living tissues has shown to induce cellular reprogramming in situ – to pluripotency or to intermediate, partially reprogrammed states – that can contribute to tissue regeneration or rejuvenation. Evidence that a great plethora of tissues and cell types respond to this reprogramming cocktail suggests a myriad of therapeutic opportunities in ailments as diverse as muscular injuries, heart and neurodegenerative diseases, or ageing. However, various challenges remain to be addressed before in vivo cell reprogramming can evolve from an interesting experimental observation into a translatable regenerative intervention, particularly concerning the safety of the approach. In this seminar, I will discuss my work using different viral and non-viral vectors as well as transgenic, reprogrammable mouse models to express OKSM and induce reprogramming in vivo, starting from the proof-of-concept and demonstration of reprogramming in mouse liver and leading to our latest results that confirm reprogramming and proliferation of otherwise postmitotic cardiomyocytes in the adult mouse heart. I will also discuss pros and cons of different reprogramming methods, barriers, and opportunities in the road towards translation.
You can join the seminar by Zoom Meeting: https://rediris.zoom.us/j/84617182819?pwd=d2NSeERVWlowWHVlQ0VQbzZsZHQvZz09
