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SUMMARY:Organoids to model human diseases
DTSTART:20230605T110000
DTEND:20230605T120000
DTSTAMP:20260512T045930Z
UID:56631c1d61d5afcd23d4e2ef807a2750061c440765dce87f85f4f69e
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Dr. Hans Clevers is the Head of Pharma Research and Early Deve
 lopment\, and a member of the Corporate Executive Committee of Roche. He i
 s a Dutch molecular geneticist\, cell biologist and stem cell researcher. 
 Previously\, he headed a research group at the Hubrecht Institute for Deve
 lopmental Biology and Stem Cell Research and at the Princess Máxima Cente
 r in the Netherlands\, where he remains as an advisor. He is also a Profes
 sor in Molecular Genetics at the University of Utrecht.\nAbstract: Lgr5 St
 em Cell-based organoids in human disease\n\nThe intestinal epithelium is t
 he most rapidly self-renewing tissue in adult mammals. We originally defin
 ed Lgr5 as a Wnt target gene\, transcribed in colon cancer cells. Two knoc
 k-in alleles revealed exclusive expression of Lgr5 in cycling\, columnar c
 ells at the crypt base. Using lineage tracing experiments in adult mice\, 
 we found that these Lgr5+ve crypt base columnar cells (CBC) generated all 
 epithelial lineages throughout life\, implying that they represent the ste
 m cell of the small intestine and colon. Lgr5 was subsequently found to re
 present an exquisitely specific\, yet 'generic' marker for active epitheli
 al stem cells\, including in hair follicles\, kidney\, liver\, mammary gla
 nd\, inner ear tongue and stomach epithelium. Single sorted Lgr5+ve stem c
 ells can initiate ever-expanding crypt-villus organoids\, or so called 'mi
 ni-guts' in 3D culture. The technology is based on the observation that Lg
 r5 is the receptor for a potent stem cell growth factor\, R-spondin. Simil
 ar 3D cultures systems have been developed for the Lgr5+ve stem cells of h
 uman stomach\, liver\, pancreas\, prostate and kidney. Using CRISPR/Cas9 t
 echnology\, genes can be efficiently modified in organoids of various orig
 ins. Organoid technology opens a range of avenues for the study of develop
 ment\, physiology and disease\, for drug development and for personalized 
 medicine. In the long run\, cultured mini-organs may replace transplant or
 gans from donors and hold promise in gene therapy.\n\nZoom link for associ
 ated campuses
LOCATION:SV 1717 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==SV%201717 https://epfl.zoom.u
 s/j/69602728980
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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