Biography
Biography: Serban San-Marina
Abstract
In spite of extraordinary recent progress in stem cell research, the replacement of tissues of the human body is currently unachievable with existing protocols. Furthermore, the need to replace damaged tissue and organs compel the development of technologies poised for early adoption that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate a personalized/precision approach. The current innovation deficit is due in part to limited choices of starting materials, incomplete knowledge of the factors affecting lineage commitments and limitations in gene delivery systems. To enable faster ‘go/no go’ testing of new hypotheses, there is a need to increase reprogramming efficiency. We are addressing the issue or restoring organ functionality using small molecule-assisted protein reprogramming and stress-resistant pluripotent stem cells. To enable efficient reprogramming, small molecule process boosters are identified by zebrafish (zf)-assisted screening of compound libraries, including FDA-approved drugs that can be rapidly re-purposed. To illustrate the transforming potential of this technology we have selected as an end point, the regeneration of hair-like cells in the cochlea.