This project explores how physical forces, specifically the flow of blood in the developing human embryo, influence the development of blood cells. Blood stem cells are vital because they can develop into various types of blood cells, such as those needed to fight infections or carry oxygen. Understanding how these stem cells form is crucial for advancing medical treatments, particularly in generating new stem cells for therapies.
We know that inflammatory signals, usually active during infections, also play a role in forming these blood stem cells in embryos. However, in the embryo, these signals are triggered without any infection, and the question is: what causes them?
Our research suggests that the physical force of blood flowing through the embryo’s main artery may be the key.
Using a model system that mimics the human embryo’s blood flow, we will study how these forces influence stem cell development.