Professor Birchmeier: Cancer Stem Cells and Cancer Diseases
The MDC
conducts research on the etiology and pathogenesis of cardiovascular and
neuronal diseases as well as specific cancer diseases. Current biomedical research
investigates the complex processes during embryogenesis and the later
development of the human body at the molecular level. Here research on stem
cells plays a central role. “The focus of our fascination and interest is not
only on questions related to the nature of stem cells, but also on the
extraordinary potential that these cells may have for regenerative therapies,”
Walter Birchmeier added. Malfunctions of stem cells – for example in cancer
stem cells – have consequences in the development of diseases.
The main
concern of the conference is to use the findings of developmental biology for
the biomedical application of stem cells, Professor Birchmeier, a molecular
biologist engaged in cancer research, went on to say. The scientists attending
the conference conduct research on fundamental questions regarding stem cells
and cancer stem cells of humans and in model systems (fruit flies, planaria,
fish, mice). Part of the conference deals with the role of stem cells in tissue
regeneration.
Approximately
430 stem cell experts from the U.S., Europe and other countries from around the
world are participating in the conference, which will last until September 14,
2011.
“German
researchers, working here in Germany but, for instance, also in the U.S., are
among the internationally recognized experts in the field of stem cells and are
leaders in Europe,” Professor Birchmeier said. He pointed out that Rudolf
Jaenisch, for example, together with his laboratory in Cambridge,
Massachusetts, had provided important data on the epigenetic regulation of stem
cells and the reprogramming of somatic cells normal’>(see Jaenisch press release). Hans Schöler in Münster identified a
key factor which serves to maintain the undifferentiated state of embryonic
stem cells (see Schöler press release).
Conferences on the basic principles and mechanisms of stem cell biology which
are attended by international participants have great significance for the further
development of this line of research in Germany.
Stem cell research at the MDC
Research
at the MDC is especially oriented towards using the insights gained in the
laboratory in collaboration with clinicians of the Charité to develop new
therapeutic concepts. The biology of stem cells and of cancer stem cells have
therefore been the main research focus of the MDC during the past decade and
have led to important publications. New groups of the MDC increasingly develop
and use these new technologies.
Background
Studies on stem cell research at the MDC:
The group
of Walter Birchmeier has shown that a specific molecular pathway, the Wnt/ normal’>b-catenin
pathway, is important for the differentiation of skin stem cells, but also that
the deregulation of this pathway can lead to cancer stem cells and skin tumors
(Huelsken et al. 2001, Cell, 18, 533 – 545, Malanchi et al. 2008, Nature, 452,
650 – 653).
The group
led by Ruth Schmidt-Ullrich and Claus Scheidereit has dealt extensively with
hair follicle stem cells (Zhang et al. 2009, Dev. Cell, 17, 49 – 61).
The group
of Carmen Birchmeier is interested in satellite cells, the stem cells in
muscle, and showed how with the aid of specific signals these cells communicate
(Vasyutina et al. 2007, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 104, 4443 – 4448).
The group
of Daniel Besser recently showed that a cell adhesion molecule, E‑cadherin,
plays a key role in the establishment and maintenance of the undifferentiated
state in mouse embryonic stem cells. E‑cadherin is also required for the
induced reprogramming of somatic cells into undifferentiated stem cells. The
molecule can replace the central factor Oct4 during the reprogramming (Redmer
et al. 2011, EMBO Rep., 12, 720 — 726).
The group
of Achim Leutz has made fundamental contributions to the field of hematopoietic
stem cells. Here the important influence of the signal molecule b‑catenin on blood stem cells could
be shown (Scheller et al. 2006, Nat. Immunol. 7, 1037 – 1047).
Mathias
Treier’s lab is working on elucidating the function of the factor Sall4 in
undifferentiated embryonic cells (Elling et al. 2006, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.
USA, 103, 16319 – 16324) and has gained important new insights about the
significance of FoxL factors in the development of ovaries (Uhlenhaut et al.
2009, Cell, 139, 1130 – 1142).
The group
of Michael Bader conducts research with undifferentiated cells in the system of
the rat (Chuykin et al. 2010, PLoS One, 5, e9794).
Nicholas
Rajewsky’s laboratory conducts research on stem cells in flatworms (planaria),
which have a particularly high regenerative potential (Friedländer et al. 2009,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 106, 11546 – 11551).
Matthew
Poy’s research focuses on the development of beta cells, insulin-producing
cells of the pancreas (Poy et al. 2009, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 106,
5813 – 5818). Some groups are currently also seeking to intervene in cancer stem
cell processes, i.e. to inhibit tumor growth, for example through interference
with small molecules.
Contact:
Walter
Birchmeier
Max
Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine
Robert-Rössle-Straße
10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
Phone:
+49 – 30⁄9406 – 3800
e‑mail:
wbirch@mdc-berlin.de
www.mdc-berlin.de
Press
contact for this conference:
MWM-Vermittlung
Kirchweg 3 B, 14129 Berlin, Germany
Phone:
+49+30/803 96 – 86; Fax: ‑87
e‑mail:
mwm@mwm-vermittlung.de
www.mwm-vermittlung.de/MDC2011.html
Press
contact MDC:
Barbara
Bachtler
Max
Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine
Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13122 Berlin, Germany
Phone:
+49 – 30⁄9406 – 2463
e‑mail: bachtler@mdc-berlin.de
www.mdc-berlin.de
