Epigenetic mechanisms of stem cell expansion in the aging hematopoietic system
The blood system is continuously replenished by stem cells that produce an estimated ten million new cells per second. In aging individuals, blood stem cells acquire genetic mutations. Some of these mutations confer a growth advantage, causing an expansion of blood cells derived from a single stem cell. This process, termed clonal hematopoiesis, occurs in more than 10% of people over 65 years and is associated with age-related disorders such as leukemia and cardiovascular disease. To better understand the molecular mechanisms that cause an expansion of mutated stem cells, Dr. Van Galen proposes to develop innovative technologies to profile healthy and mutated stem cells in aged individuals. Hi lab will simultaneously measure thousands of molecules in thousands of cells and integrate this information to discover abnormal features of the mutated cells. Understanding stem cell dysfunction will inform new strategies to restore the blood and extend healthy aging.
