Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Some haematological diseases can only be cured by a haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant (bone marrow transplant). The efficacy of this procedure is limited primarily by 2 things: (1) the shortage of suitable donors, and (2) delayed engraftment (slow recovery of patient immune system following transplant). The use of umbilical cord blood-derived HSCs is thought to be the solution to donor scarcity, however the small number of cells that can be recovered from a single cord further delays engraftment. It is thought that if it were possible to expand this small HSC population prior to transplant then engraftment could be accelerated, and clinical outcomes improved dramatically. However, it has not yet been possible to expand these cells in culture. We are developing novel bioreactor systems and culture methodologies to replicate the conditions found in the bone marrow. We believe these efforts will allow us to achieve true ex vivo expansion of HSCs. We are looking for talented students with biology and/or engineering expertise to help us with this project. We are looking for students that can commit to either a PhD or at least one year research to this project.
- Study level
- PhD, Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
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Please contact the supervisor.
Dr Michael Doran
