Adult Stem Cells
Neural stem cells can be isolated from the adult olfactory neuroepithelium (situated in the nose) and grown in the laboratory in the form of olfactory neurospheres. These structures are three-dimensional aggregates of cells that are able to grow into neuronal and non-neuronal cells. The identity of the cell type within the olfactory neuroepithelium that gives rise to these neural stem cells remains elusive. Our group studies the basic biology of adult olfactory stem cells with the aim of identifying, isolating and propagating these cells. There is considerable interest in developing cell-based therapies to address the growing problem of increasing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. For treating neurodegenerative disorders, adult stem cells are neural lineage committed, non-tumorigenic and have no ethical considerations. The olfactory neuroepithelium is easily biopsied and has great potential as a source of neural stem cells for autologous transplant.
Staff
Dr Kharen Doyle |
Ms Yvonne Hort |
