Do MPS patient derived stem cells form bone and cartilage?

This project in genetics and molecular pathology examines the characterisation of patient derived stem cells.

Children with the genetic disease mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) have a range of symptoms including progressive, severe skeletal pathology that manifests as low bone mass and extreme short stature. 

We have generated mesenchymal stem cells from patient-derived iPSCs and will use these stem cells to determine how different mutations affect bone and cartilage formation and function. The goal is to understand how pathology arises in the skeleton.

The Matrix Biology Unit is located at the Womens and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide.

Supervisor

• Dr Sharon Byers
• Co-supervisor: Dr Ainslie Derrick-Roberts
• Research area: Genetics and molecular pathology, SA Pathology
• Recommended honours enrolment: Honours in Molecular and Biomedical Science