Spatial organisation of haematopoietic stem cells
Each day the body produces several billions of blood cells. This process called haematopoiesis is tightly regulated and hierarchically organized. Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are on top of the hierarchy, they can differentiate into all blood lineages. During fetal development HSCs reside (among others) in the fetal liver, later primarily in specialised niches of the bone marrow. Division and differentiation of HSCs are regulated by the interaction with other niche components like mesenchymal cells and vessels.
The aim of this project is to analyse the spatial organisation of HSCs within their tissue, which is underlying the regulatory process. Using 3D microscopy we determine the distribution of labelled cells and describe it by measures of spatial statistics. Complementing this data with a single cell based spatial mathematical model we can test different assumptions on cell motility and division.
Scientists involved
- Prof Dr Ingo Röder
- Thomas Zerjatke
- Osman Abhimata Nugraha
Cooperation Partner
- Prof Dr César Nombela Arrieta (Univ. Zurich)
Publications
Helbling et al.: Tissue-scale dynamic mapping of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and supportive stromal niches in the fetal liver (under review)
Funding
IMB budget