Generating a new source of stem cells to encourage blood vessels to grow

Optimising encapsulated, genetically-modified human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) to promote therapeutic angiogenesis

Supervised by Professor Paolo Madeddu, this PhD student is developing a source of stem cells to encourage blood vessels to grow and restore blood supply after a heart attack. A heart attack happens when insufficient oxygen-rich blood reaches the heart muscle. It can cause serious damage to the heart, leading to heart failure. Encouraging new blood vessels to grow using stem cells could repair the damage caused by a heart attack and increase survival. But to offer stem cells as a therapy, we need a supply of stem cells that can be used in the clinic. The first aim of the PhD project is to generate the stem cell supply. Genes that promote new vessel growth will be introduced into human cells that have been developed in the lab to divide indefinitely and avoid rejection by the host’s immune system. The cells will first be tested in human tissue, before being studied in mice, to confirm that they encourage new blood vessels to grow and mature. This research will generate a new source of stem cells that could be used to encourage new blood vessel growth while avoiding immune rejection. It could lead to more research testing these cells in large animal and clinical trials.