Biology

Prof. Maneesha Inamdar
JNCASR, Bangalore

Tissue homeostasis is orchestrated by the interplay of external stimuli and intracellular regulatory programs. Stem cells aid this process as they can self-renew as well as differentiate to give rise to the various precursor and mature cell types in the body. Molecular control of self-renewal and differentiation is key to maintaining stem cell homeostasis. The blood vascular system is particularly sensitive to stressors and perturbations can often lead to disease. Stress and aging of the blood vascular system correlate to anemia, decreased immunity and increased incidence of leukemia. Despite their enormous clinical potential, mechanisms that regulate the vital properties of self-renewal and multi-potency in stem cells are not completely understood. Using various model systems we identified molecular networks and processes that regulate blood stem cells. We show that cellular transport and energy machineries play an active role in controlling stem cell state and fate. Thus our findings reveal additional points of control for maintaining stem cells.