Stem cells are characterized by their ability to both self-renew and differentiate, with pluripotent stem cells able to differentiate into cell types of all three germ layers. As such, they have great promise for potential therapeutic applications and for expanding our understanding of embryonic development. Controlling cell fate toward specific cell types using biochemical and mechanical cues is the focus of much investigation, especially for increasing the efficiency of production and the homogeneity of the final population. While gene and protein expression are often studied during directed differentiation, far less research has been conducted so far on overall metabolic alterations. Terminally differentiated cells in assorted organs in the body have different metabolic profiles depending on their function, yet are derived from a single type of cell. Therefore, we are interested in using untargeted metabolomics to track changes in the metabolite profile over time as stem cells differentiate down various lineages, to elucidate how metabolism diverges during this process. Analysis of these small molecules in both intracellular and extracellular samples will reveal modifications in cell metabolism, which can be used as potential markers of and targets for differentiations.
Related Publications:
Manipulation of metabolism in complex eukaryotic systems to control cellular state