Stem Cell Stars Seminar: From Founder Cells to Advanced Mouse and Human Embryo Models with José Silva

Talk Title: 'From Founder Cells to Advanced Mouse and Human Embryo Models'

When: 20 February, 2025 | 15:00 - 16:00 + mingle

Where: Segerfalksalen, BMC A10

Host: Principal Investigator Filipe Pereira

Following the lecture, take the opportunity to mingle and connect with colleagues and fellow researchers over refreshments at our post-seminar gathering. This is a wonderful opportunity to expand your professional network and share ideas in a relaxed setting. 

All are welcome, and no registration is required!

About the Speaker:

José Silva

Principal Investigator, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China

For many years, the Silva Lab has focused on understanding the biology of nuclear reprogramming, with the ultimate goal of using generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for medical applications. Despite significant efforts by labs worldwide, approaches like pluripotent stem cell differentiation, direct/forward programming, and cell transdifferentiation have not yielded cell products with the desired molecular identities and physiological properties. Inspired by research showing that cells can self-organize and mimic early embryo development in a lab setting, the Silva Lab is trying a new approach.

José and his team start with pluripotent stem cells (cells that can become almost any type of cell) and reprogram them into "embryo founder-like cells." These cells resemble very early stages of embryo development and can develop into all the main cell types needed for an embryo. By letting these cells self-assemble into structures that mimic embryos, they can study how they develop naturally. Ultimately, the Silva Lab aims to employ their embryo models as platforms to produce patient matched high-quality cells, paving the way for future medical applications.

• Learn more about the Silva Lab