Research project

The use of microRNAs and nanotopography to modulate skeletal stem cell fate and function

Project overview

We propose that miRNAs play a critical role in the regulation of skeletal stem cell fate and function. We will determine the role of miRNAs in the maintenance of stem phenotype or enhancement of bone stem cell differentiation and mechanisms involved including cytoskeletal or epigenetic changes. We have recently shown that defined nanotopographies are capable of robustly regulating SSC fate in the absence of chemical cues. We will therefore use custom designed nanotopographies to control SSC phenotype (for instance, to induce osteogenesis or maintain SSC numbers) and examine how miRNAs affect stem cell responses through modulation of epigenetic, biochemical and biomechanical processes. This study will facilitate our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of skeletal stem cell fate and function.

Staff

Lead researchers

Emeritus Professor Richard Oreffo DPhil DSc (Oxon) FMedSci FHEA FRSB FIOR

Research interests
  • Skeletal Regenerative MedicineSkeletal Stem Cells
Connect with Richard

Research outputs

Marta Pena Fernandez, Cameron Black, Jonathan Dawson, David Gibbs, Janos Kanczler, Richard O.C. Oreffo & Gianluca Tozzi, 2020, Materials, 13(1)
Type: article
Gianluca Cidonio, Cesar Roberto Alcala Orozco, Khoon Lim, Michael Glinka, Isha Mutreja, Yanghee Kim, Jonathan Dawson, Tim Woodfield & Richard Oreffo, 2019, Biofabrication, 11(3)
Type: article
Lucas Sebastian Spitzhorn, Matthias Megges, Wasco Wruck, Md Shaifur Rahman, Jörg Otte, Özer Degistirici, Roland Meisel, Rüdiger Volker Sorg, Richard O.C. Oreffo & James Adjaye, 2019, Stem Cell Research and Therapy, 10(1)
Type: article
Catarina Moura, Konstantinos Bourdakos, Rahul Tare, Richard Oreffo & Sumeet Mahajan, 2019, Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-9
Type: article
Catarina Costa Moura, Stuart A. Lanham, Tual Montfort, Konstantinos N. Bourdakos, Rahul S. Tare, Richard O.C. Oreffo & Sumeet Mahajan, 2018, Integrative Biology
Type: article