A novel progenitor for blood vessel growth
Damage or disease in our blood vessels can lead to heart attacks, strokes or problems with the limbs or vision. Stem cell research – part of a field known as ‘regenerative medicine’ - offers hope for a new approach to treating these conditions. Researchers believe that stem cells could be used to stimulate the growth of healthy new blood vessels – helping to restore proper blood supply to areas of damage. A critical factor in developing successful regenerative treatments for heart and circulatory diseases will be to identify the right type of stem cells to use. Professor Christiana Ruhrberg and her team at University College London believe they have uncovered a promising candidate cell type, found in the blood of mice, which can help to build the crucial inner lining of new blood vessels. In this project, they will find out more about how to identify these cells and their potential to drive the growth of new blood vessels - both during normal development and in response to damage. This work could lay the foundation to pinpoint and harness these stem cells to repair damaged blood vessels in humans in the future.
Project details
| Grant amount | £281,115 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 February 2019 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/18/85/34127 |
| Status | In Progress |
