Mission

We work towards understanding the mechanisms of cellular reprogramming that governs the transformation of a somatic cell into a pluripotent one. We identify regulatory genes and gene products that govern the state of pluripotency. We use this knowledge to generate human isogenic pluripotent stem cells and to improve the efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Jiesi Luo

Graduate Research Assistant
(May 2008 – present)

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Jiesi earned his bachelor's degree in Animal Science from China Agricultural University, Beijing, China in 2007. He is now pursuing his PhD under the guidance of Dr Cibelli and his project includes investigation of pluripotency of animal embryonic stem cells, and mammalian and early embryonic development. His proposed project focuses on generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from canine somatic cells. The aim of his project is to elucidate the potential requirements for producing iPSCs from dog adult stem cells, in an effort to help form a template for development of regenerative medicine to aid dogs paralyzed by spinal cord injuries. The second area of Jiesi's studies include investigation of the anti-apoptotic effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate on in vitro development of bovine embryos.