Grant: Operating Grant

Stem cell are characterized by their ability to self-renew, a process which implies the coordination between cell division and cell differentiation. Understanding the basis which underly self-renewal has relevance in regenerative medicine (e.g., stem cell expansion for bone marrow transplantation) and in cancer. Indeed, most cancer analyzed to date include a rare population of self-renewing cells termed cancer stem cells. We showed before that the Bmi1 gene is a master regulator of normal and leukemia stem cells. In its absence, these cells loose their ability to self-renew. Over the years we have identified numerous co-factors which help Bmi1 accomplish its role in stem cells. In this project we will study the function of these partners and hopefully decipher the network through which Bmi1 controls self-renewal. This could lead to novel therapies which specifically target self-renewal.