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

Richard Oreffo, Ines Moreno, Janos Kanczler, Signe Gry Hulsart Billstrom & Stefanie Inglis, 2017, Tissue Engineering Part C Methods, 23(12), 938-952
Type: article
Emma Budd, Shona Waddell, Maria C. De Andres & Richard O.C. Oreffo, 2017, Current molecular biology reports, 3(4), 263-275
Type: article
Glyn N. Stacey, Che J. Connon, Karen Coopman, Alan J. Dickson, Barry Fuller, Charles J. Hunt, Paul Kemp, Julie Kerby, Jennifer Man, Paul Matejtschuk, Harry Moore, John Morris, Richard Oreffo, Nigel Slater, Stephen Ward, Claire Wiggins & Heiko Zimmermann, 2017, Regenerative Medicine, 12(5), 553-564
Type: article
Louisa C.Y. Lee, Nikolaj Gadegaard, María C. de Andrés, Lesley-Anne Turner, Karl V. Burgess, Stephen J. Yarwood, Julia Wells, Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez, Dominic Meek, Richard O.C Oreffo & Matthew J. Dalby, 2017, Biomaterials, 116, 10-20
Type: article