Is it possible to study the production of blood and immune cells inside the bone marrow? For the first time ever, the answer is yes, thanks to a new approach pioneered by USC Stem Cell scientist Rong Lu and Caltech synthetic biologist Michael B. Elowitz, together with co-investigators Carlos Lois and Lior Pachter at Caltech.

The new approach will enable the scientists to study the blood-producing stem and progenitor cells, also called hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), within the difficult-to-access bone marrow—without needing to extract the cells. The goal is to glean insight into how the spatial arrangements of HSPCs influences their activity, interactions, and production of blood and immune cells.

Supported by a prestigious NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award for $8.1 million, their research project will enhance our understanding of blood cell regeneration within the native environment in the body. Their findings could inform efforts to optimize bone marrow transplantation and provide insights into a diverse array of health conditions, ranging from cancer to heart disease to chronic liver disease.

To read more, visit https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/uscs-rong-lu-and-caltechs-michael-b-elowitz-win-the-nih-directors-transformative-research-award.