Workshop: Blood and Vascular Differentiation from

Human Embryonic Stem Cells (HESCs)

September 17, 2009
UConnStem Cell Core
University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Featuring Two Distinguished Guests: Dr. Allen Feng and Dr. Zack Wang

Contact UCSCICORE@uchc.edu for more information or application

Schedule

Dr. Allen Qiang Feng

Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine International Differentiation of HESCs to Hemangioblasts

The first part of Dr. Feng’s seminar will focus on the differentiation of

human ES cells to hemangioblasts which have the potential to further

differentiate into hematopoietic and vascular cells. The optimized conditions for hemangioblast development from human ES cells will be discussed, and in vitro characterization of hESC-derived hemangioblasts will also be discussed.

The second part of the seminar will focus on the differentiation and maturation of red blood cells from hESC-derived hemangioblasts including conditions for expansion, differentiation, maturation and enucleation of hESC-derived red blood cells. Functional characterization of hESC-derived red blood cells will also be addressed.

Dr. Zack Zhengyu Wang

Maine Medical Center Research Institute Differentiation of HESCs To Endothelial Cells

Summary of Dr. Wang’s seminar: Vascular dysfunction is the major cause of heart failure. The damage of cardiomyocytes resulting from ischemic injury is irreversible and leads to the development of progressive heart failure, which is characterized by loss–of-functional cardiomyocytes.

Generation of cardiovascular cells, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, have great potential for cell-therapy to regenerate cardiac function. Virtually, all strategies in regenerative medicine will require revascularization of regenerated tissues. In this lecture, we will discuss the basic technologies of ES cell differentiation into endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and cardiomyocytes.

Conctact the UConn Stem Cell Core for application at UCSCICORE@UCHC.edu