Summary of the science
Cells become specialised in a process called differentiation, whereby cells turn into specific types of cells with specific functions. Once a cell has differentiated into its final cell state, it usually will remain like this. However, in some instances, cells have been shown to 'erase' their functional identity and 'reprogram' to become other cells with other functions. This can occur naturally, for example in diseases like cancer. Sophie Jarriault is interested in understanding how this happens and whether this process can be harnessed for cancer treatments and regenerative medicine- where dysfunctional cells, tissues or organs are replaced or engineered to restore normal function.
About the research
Sophie Jarriault studies the processes by which a specialised cell can sometimes lose its fixed identity and take upon a new cell fate. She investigates how this transition is regulated and initiated and why this occurs in some cells, but not in their neighbouring cells. So-called transdifferentiation has implications in cancer as well as regenerative medicine. Thus understanding the underlying mechanisms of cell fate determination, cell identity maintenance and cell reprogramming can lead to targeted therapeutic approaches and early diagnostics.
About the illustration