The zebrafish has emerged as an excellent system to study disease. Dr. Leonard Zon and his lab have been studying the hematopoietic system. The blood stem cells arise from the aorta during embryogenesis, and sequentially colonize new sites of hematopoiesis. Using chemical genetics they have found a number of chemicals that modify the induction of stem cells and their migration. PGE2 was found to be required for stem cell birth, and a stabilized version leads to potent numbers of stem cells. dmPGE2 can stimulate marrow engraftment of murine or human hematopoietic cells when transplanted. A clinical trial with dmPGE2 for cord blood transplantation showed activity. A chemical suppressor screen of the rps29 mutant that models Diamond Blackfan anemia identified calmodulin inhibitors lead to a rescue of blood. Their studies illustrate that new therapies can be found using the zebrafish system.

The Saban Research Institute (TSRI) Discovery and Innovation Speaker Series is designed to unify our faculty, students and trainees around great scientific findings shared by experts of the highest caliber. As part of this series, each year TSRI invites prominent speakers to present on the most cutting research pertaining to the developmental origins of health and disease.

Brought to you by TSRI Office of Training, Education, Career Planning and Development (TECPAD)

Discovery & Innovation Speaker Series

“Pathways Regulating Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Migration”

Leonard I. Zon, MD Director, Stem Cell Program Boston Children’s Hospital Grousbeck Professor of Pediatrics Harvard Medical School

SAVE THE DATE!

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 Special Seminar Time: 1-2 p.m.

The Saban Research Building Auditorium 4661 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Lunch is provided. For questions, please email tecpad@chla.usc.edu