Ep. 280: “Liver Regeneration” Featuring Dr. Meritxell Huch
Oct 29, 2024
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Dr. Meritxell Huch, Scientific Director at the Max Planck Institute, dives into her research on liver and pancreas organoid models. She details innovative co-culture techniques for liver mesenchyme and ductal cells. The conversation highlights the complexities of liver regeneration, including the potential of using Yamanaka factors for neuroprotection. Huch shares her inspiring journey across Europe, showcasing the importance of passion and support in scientific pursuits. A blend of groundbreaking science and personal determination makes for a captivating discussion.
Dr. Meritxell Huch's work on liver and pancreas organoid models provides insights into their differing regenerative capabilities and mechanisms.
The innovative combination of light sheet microscopy with single-cell RNA sequencing has advanced our understanding of cell lineage and plasticity during embryonic development.
Utilizing computational tools like AlphaFold has revealed critical protein interactions necessary for fertilization, underscoring the evolutionary conservation of these mechanisms.
Deep dives
Understanding Liver Regeneration
The research focuses on the fascinating regenerative capabilities of the liver, which can regrow after partial removal. This ability raises critical questions about how the liver senses damage and initiates repair mechanisms, a process that is still not fully understood, especially in humans. The exploration of organoids derived from liver and pancreas tissues is used to investigate these biological processes and their implications in conditions such as liver disease. By utilizing animal models and human organoids, researchers aim to illuminate the differences in regenerative capacity between the highly regenerative liver and the less regenerative pancreas.
Advancements in Cell Plasticity and Imaging Techniques
The podcast discusses significant advancements in cell plasticity research, showcasing a collaborative study that combined light sheet microscopy with single-cell RNA sequencing. This innovative approach allows for exceptional mapping of cell lineages during embryonic development in zebrafish, which serves as a crucial model organism for various biological processes. By revealing how certain progenitor cells can exhibit pluripotency and broader differentiation potential, this work challenges previous understandings of cell lineage segregation and embryonic development. The implications of these findings could lead to substantial advances in regenerative medicine and insights into developmental biology across species.
Protein Structure and Fertilization Mechanisms
The podcast highlights the role of an advanced computational tool, AlphaFold, in uncovering the molecular mechanisms involved in fertilization across different vertebrate species. The research identifies key proteins necessary for sperm-egg fusion, emphasizing that many mechanisms are conserved through evolution. Specifically, the discovery of the T-M81 protein and its interaction with Izumo-1 and Spaca-6 illustrates the complexity and importance of these molecular interactions in successful fertilization. This work underscores how computational techniques can facilitate a deeper understanding of vital biological processes, potentially paving the way for reproductive health advancements.
Insights into Regenerative Medical Approaches
A notable study explores the potential of chemically induced dedifferentiation of adult somatic cells, effectively reverting them to a progenitor-like state. This technique allows the re-differentiation of these cells into skeletal lineage cells, presenting exciting possibilities for regenerative medicine applications. While the idea of inducing limb regeneration remains speculative, this approach represents a conceptual leap in understanding and harnessing cellular plasticity for therapeutic purposes. Researchers emphasize the need for further investigations to ensure effective application while navigating the associated risks of cellular reprogramming.
The Future of Organoid Technology
The podcast discusses the current advancements and future potential of organoid technology, particularly in replicating complex tissue architecture. The focus is on enhancing liver organoids by integrating multiple cell types to more accurately reflect the organ's functionality and intercellular interactions. This progress aims to overcome challenges related to cell maturity and functionality necessary for potential therapeutic uses. Ultimately, the ability to engineer sophisticated organoid models could significantly accelerate research in regenerative medicine and the understanding of various diseases.
Dr. Meritxell Huch is a Scientific Director at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics and an Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Dresden. Her research focuses on liver and pancreas organoid models. She discusses a protocol for liver mesenchyme and ductal cell organoid co-culture and generating bipotent stem cells from the liver. She also tells her story of moving throughout Europe to pursue her scientific passions.
Fertilization in Zebrafish and Humans – A conserved sperm complex binds to divergent egg proteins in mice and mammals to mediate sperm-egg interaction.
Dedifferentiation and Limb Progenitors – Chemically-induced dedifferentiation generates progenitor-like cells similar to human embryonic limb bud progenitors.
