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Strategy
NIRM combines basic stem cell research with innovations in tissue engineering, filling the gap in strategic stem cell research that is lacking in top institute programs. The high interest in regenerative medicine for diseased and damaged tissues relies to a large extent on insights gathered in stem cell biology. A fine example is the major breakthrough which was achieved in 2006, when it was discovered that only 4 factors are necessary to reprogram adult human skin or lymphoid cells to fully potent stem cells (iPS cells) — thus providing a source of patient-specific stem cells for therapy. Only through knowledge on stem cell genetic programming, obtained at the strategic level, could these amazing stem cells have been produced. Indeed, new stem cells are still being discovered through the study of human development.
These kinds of discoveries provide the basis for novel patient-derived stem cell-based regenerative approaches for most tissues and lineages of cells of the human body. Advances in tissue engineering combining these themes offer even more promise for regenerative medicine. Remarkable bioengineering techniques are culminating in for instance the transplantation of a patient-specific trachea. Using a donor trachea stripped of all cells (thus eliminating graft rejection) and patient-specific stem cells, the engineered trachea was used to replace the tissue damaged by tuberculosis. Many more secrets on the identification, growth, production and manipulation of stem cells are within reach through strategic biomedical research and tissue engineering.
