Capturing primitive haematogenesis and microglia function ex vivo using human stem cell-based models

Project Code

MRCNMH26Ex Guo

Project Type

Wet lab

Research Theme

Neuroscience and Mental Health

Project Summary Download

Summary

This project aims to uncover how early human immune cells, especially microglia (the brain’s immune cells), form during development. Since studying human embryos directly is not possible, you will use a recently established stem cell system that mimics early embryonic conditions to generate these cells in the lab. By defining the signals guiding their development, you will create reliable methods to produce microglia and test their functions. This research will enhance our understanding of the initial stages of blood formation, as well as the brain’s immune system, and enable the development of patient-specific microglia models for neurodegenerative diseases.

Lead Supervisor

Dr Ge Guo

Lead Supervisor Email

G.GUO@EXETER.AC.UK

University Affiliation

Exeter