Description:
Researchers have developed a new technique for dynamic and quantitative monitoring of stem cells in living animals. This method can be used to monitor solid tissues, with applications in both drug discovery and basic research. The technology is particularly useful for studies that involved single stem cell transplantation. It also allows direct comparisons of the quantitative and dynamic properties of diverse stem cell populations in a manner not previously possible with standard histological analysis.Stage of ResearchAs a proof of concept, the inventors used this technique to monitor the proliferation of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) in living animals following transplantation into mouse muscle tissue. Ongoing ResearchThe inventors are developing lentiviral constructs which can be used to monitor human cells. http://gtp.autm.net/technology/view/20327
