Date of Completion

Spring 5-6-2012

Thesis Advisor(s)

Theodore P. Rasmussen

Honors Major

Pharmaceutical Science

Disciplines

Medical Cell Biology | Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

Human Embryonic stem cells (hESCs) represent a pluripotent cell population derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst stage of the developing embryo. Ethical concerns have been raised regarding the derivation process, as the procedure ultimately results in the destruction of the embryos. Recently, alternative approach has been devised that encompasses reprogramming of terminally differentiated cells into an hESC-like state. This process relies on the over-expression of four pluripotency-associated factors, and successfully reprogrammed cells are termed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These cells hold great promise for the use in future cell-based therapeutics such as evaluating drug induced toxicity and developing personalized medicines. However, the intricacies of the reprogramming mechanism are not fully understood, mostly due to the random nature of the expression of the four factors. In this study, I propose a series of experiments involving a novel molecular switch, known as Rheostat system, along with the doxycycline inducible system, that will regulate the expression of the four transcription factors in a precise temporal manner. Controlled expression of the transcription factors will help to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms of the reprogramming process.

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