GENETICS AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY


Regenerative medicine represents a revolutionary new approach to the treatment of disease through the use of bioengineered human tissues to restore function to failing organs by partial or complete replacement. In addition, in vitro engineered human tissues can be used diagnostically, as an alternative to animal testing, for studies on drug metabolism and uptake, toxicity, and pathogenicity. One strength of this approach is its multidisciplinary nature with basic and clinical research contributions from such diverse fields as tissue engineering, surgery, physiology, drug delivery, stem cell biology, materials science, bioengineering, developmental biology and genetics.

"The Genetics and Developmental Biology program, directed by Colin E. Bishop, Ph.D., strongly supports the Institute's overall goals by transferring new therapies in reproductive genetics into the clinic"

The program provides technical and intellectual expertise in mammalian genetics and embryology, particularly in the area of animal models of human disease. The group's own specific interest is in the area of reproductive genetics. The projects under active investigation include:

  • Basic research into the genetics of germ cell development and sex determination
  • Establishing and genetically modifying spermatogonial stem cell lines
  • Genetically engineering experimental models in which specific organs are composed completely or partially of human tissue
  • Implementing novel prenatal and pre-implantation diagnostic tests, particularly first trimester genetic diagnosis using fetal cells derived from the mother using non-invasive techniques
  • Development of a functional human uterus and fallopian tubes as a treatment for uterine factor infertility
All of these projects are collaborative in nature involving scientists and clinicians from WFIRM and from other national and international laboratories.

336.713.7293 | regenmed@wfubmc.edu © 2006 Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine