Gillies McIndoe Research Institute 

• The project talks about creating embryonic stem cells from mature cells. Scientists can create these cells so they are specific to a disease (DiPSCs). The technology means that the cells can be expanded and grown at will, so it can be a lot easier to study disease models and to run lab and human drug trials.

• The Gillies McIndoe need a researcher trained in the technology this development requires and the scholarship is designed to send a researcher to work with a top US researcher for 6 weeks to learn what is required.

• Although developing skills and understanding of the technology is the prime reason for the project, obviously the opportunity will be great professional development for the researcher. NZ research organisations cannot pay the salaries top people can get overseas, but these opportunities help to attract and retain top people. The exchange will also help build relationships with one of the major international cancer research groups. 

 

 

 

 

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are embryonic-like stem cells, which are derived from mature cells through the up-regulation of certain genes. This novel discovery was initially described by Professor Shinya Yamanaka, leading to the award of a Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology in 2012.

 

This technology can be applied to the creation of iPSCs from diseased primary cell lines in what is referred to as disease-specific iPSCs (DiPSCs). These DiPSCs can then be expanded and grown in culture perpetually. This enables the study of diseases, such as cancer, by using the DiPSCs for disease modelling as well as for laboratory based and human drug trials.

 

The ability to transform disease cells into DiPSCs can be accomplished by a number of means using commercially available kits. To transform and expand these DiPSCs requires familiarity with specialised cell culture techniques, which the GMRI seeks to acquire so that it can undertake the transformation.

 

We are very grateful to Rotary International, in particular the Rotary Club of Plimmerton and the Rotary Club of Del Mar, for their support in establishing the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute (GMRI) and Salk Institute Scholarship opportunity, which will allow the exchange of a staff member between the GMRI and the Salk institute in San Diego for a total time of six weeks. This interaction will lead to the professional development of staff members of the GMRI, and promote wider professional and collaborative relationships between scientists at the GMRI and research institutions in San Diego.

 

Professor Inder Verma, a distinguished researcher at the Salk Institute in San Diego, has been using DiPSCs for studying human diseases. Professor Verma’s laboratory staff’s expertise with this technology along with their willingness to provide support and to pass on their knowledge and experience to GMRI staff members is essential for the GMRI to employ this crucial technology.

 

In 2017 the Rotary scholarship will support the development of a research staff member familiar with stem cells at the GMRI to spend a six-week period at Professor Verma’s laboratory. The person will have access to their state-of-the-art cell culture facilities and will be able to perform routine culture and expansion of iPSC reprogramed cell lines. As a consequence, the person will become familiar with the practical nuances of producing DiPSCs.

 

It is considered that the ability to produce DiPSCs is essential for the GMRI to conduct world-class research, potentially of a breakthrough nature, with the aim of facilitating research that will lead to the development of effective and safer treatments for cancer and other conditions. It is expected that the GMRI staff will be able to gain knowledge and experience in the production of DiPSCs from disease cell lines, and develop knowledge relating to the application of this technology to cancer research.  

 

 

 

Laboratory consumables                                                                 US$ 7500

Round trip air fares                                                                          US$ 3000       

Accommodation (42 days @US$150/day)                                     US$ 6300

Living expenses (6 weeks @US$170/week)                                  US$ 1050

Insurance                                                                                           US$    500

Incidentals                                                                                         US$    250

Total                                                                                                     US$19600