Continuous live quantification of molecular pluripotency control

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Timm Schroeder, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2008 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 66107010

The molecular control of the pluripotent state is of great scientific interest. In recent years, many components of the molecular network influencing the induction and maintenance of the pluripotent state have been discovered. However, the exact topology and of the network, its stability, and the expression dynamics of its components in self renewing and differentiating pluripotent cells over time remain elusive. We therefore measure the expression of network components non-invasively at the protein level in individual living cells and in a quantitative manner, over several days, with high temporal resolution and in combination with the cell fate choices of the pluripotent cells and all of their progeny. These measurements of unprecedented precision will be enabled by long-term bioimaging technology. The stability of the network will be tested by manipulating expression levels of individual network components. The generated experimental data will be used for developing and falsifying mathematical models of molecular pluripotency control.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1356: Pluripotency and Cellular Reprogramming
• International Connection: Switzerland