Summary of the science
Stem cells are specialised cells that have the ability to turn into any type of cell. The environment in which they live is known as their niche. Understanding how these stem cells work and what happens when things go wrong can help us develop treatments for diseases. The lab uses a special part of our skin called the hair follicle to study these cells using advanced imaging techniques, allowing them to see how the cells behave and how the niche influences them. This research can also help us understand other tissues in our body and improve therapies for diseases, like cancer.
About the research
Valentina Greco and colleagues study stem cells and their niches, both playing a crucial role in maintaining tissue health and regeneration. By understanding the mechanisms that regulate stem cells and how they can go wrong in disease states, the lab aims to uncover valuable knowledge that can contribute to the development of cures for various diseases. They utilise a unique mammalian stem cell niche found in the hair follicle of the skin and using advanced imaging techniques and genetic manipulation they observe and manipulate the niche components in real-time.
About the illustration
As mentioned in the description, the Lab use the hair follicle to study stem cells and their niches, so we had this be the focal point of the illustration. Some of the cells lining the follicle are shown to degrade (white), to reference cell regeneration and repair.