Magda Rita Hamczyk

Project description

The traditional paradigm in cell biology states that tissues are mainly composed of quiescent somatic cells which are terminally differentiated, and their fate is settled until death. According to this model, tissue regeneration and maintenance rely on a small reservoir of non-differentiated cells, called stem cells. Multiple lines of evidence, mainly in developmental and pathological contexts, have challenged this simple model. Namely, under certain circumstances terminally differentiated cells can dedifferentiate or transdifferentiate contributing to tissue regeneration, repair and remodeling. In my research project at AIAS, I will study this somatic cell plasticity in the cardiovascular system. Thus, I will try to decipher the cues that aid cells in the acquisition and maintenance of a new cell identity. Characterizing how cells change their fates would also give us tools to influence cell identities against diseases and to explore the limits of tissue regeneration.