Andriana Margariti
Queen's University Belfast, UK
Biography
Andriana Margariti has developed significant expertise in stem cell biology, with particular emphasis on cell reprogramming, chromatin remodelling, cell signalling and endothelial cell biology. Her research program is based on the remarkable idea of direct reprogramming which will allow her to realize fundamental principles of cell reprogramming and establish homogeneous populations of endothelial cells. Development of fast and robust new methodologies that produce well-characterized, homogenous, clinical-grade cells suitable for tissue repair/re-modelling would have great utility. Her research team has generated patient-specific iPS cells and PiPS cells and they now have exciting novel data and they are working towards to develop a remarkable new highly efficient strategy of cell reprogramming. Importantly, the potential of the reprogrammed endothelial cells to enhance angiogenesis and neovascularisation and to promote perfusion of ischemic tissue will be established. Her research is demonstrating the therapeutic potential of “re-born” reprogrammed endothelial cells which would have transforming consequences for regenerative and personalized medicine.