Generation of Human Motor Neurons from Stem Cells
Su-Chun Zhang, MD, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Introduction:
As part of The ALS Association's commitment to funding research into the possible use of stem cell therapy for ALS, we are very pleased to announce a collaboration with Hope For ALS Foundation to fund a two year study on the "Generation of Human Motor Neurons From Stem Cells".
The project will be led by Dr. Su-Chun Zhang in collaboration with Dr. James Thomson. The research group is highly skilled in stem cell biology and the multidisciplinary team is well suited to such an effort. This work will complement ongoing studies of stem cell therapy in animal models of ALS.
In order to promote the regeneration of motor neurons or replacement of diseased cells, it is essential to understand how motor neurons develop in man and to find a way of generating a sufficient number of human motor neurons for drug screening and transplantation therapy.
Project:
In this proposed study, Dr. Zhang's group will develop methods to generate motor neurons from human embryonic stem cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that human embryonic stem cells (cells which continue to divide), under certain specific conditions, can produce cells of the brain including neurons and glia (support cells providing nutrients to surrounding neurons).
It has not yet been shown that these neurons are motor neurons and it is likely that specific "cues" are required to generate motor neurons. To achieve this, Dr. Zhang will use a variety of conditions in a culture dish and determine whether he is able to generate motor neurons. Motor neurons can be identified by special characteristics: their morphology (structure), neurotransmitters specifically expressed by motor neurons and presence of a set of motor neuron specific factors such as Lim 3, Islet 1 and 2 and MNR2. Although challenging and as yet not achieved, generation of motor neurons in vitro for transplantation or the discovery of appropriate cues to generate motor neurons in the human body, are exciting potential approaches to stem cell therapy for ALS.
