Embryonic Stem Cell transcriptomics
In this area of our research, we are using transcriptomic, bioinformatic and high throughput platform technologies to find lead compounds for the maintenance of human and mouse ES cell pluripotency and directed differentiation. This involves the following areas:
- Defining the transcriptome of human and mouse embryonic stem cells. We are using both in-house and public gene expression data sets to refine the 'ES cell' transcriptome
- Transcriptomic analysis of ES cell pluripotency. We are using array based technology to search for genes and gene products that promote ES cell pluripotency. This is being achieved at present by examining ES cells as they transform into self-sufficient embryonic carcinoma type cells, and by studying the transcriptome of Embryonic Feeder cells (MEF and HEF). These projects are in collaboration with the Australian Stem Cell Centre.
- Profiling of ES cell to embryoid body differentiation by gene expression
- Designing platform technologies for screening gene products in various assays that examine pluripotency and directed differentiation of ES cells. These include but not limited to reverse transfection and lentiviral overexpression and shRNA knockdown.