Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rohwedel
PD Dr. Jan Kramer

„Stem Cell Biology“

Technicians

Alexandra Tiedtke
Heiko Steenbock

The group is studying differentiation of stem cells in vitro and is mainly interested in chondrogenic and nephrogenic differentiation. Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated and pluripotent and have the capacity to differentiate into cell types of all three primary germlayers and into germ cells. In vivo, they can be used for gene-targeting to establish genetically altered mice. In vitro, they differentiate spontaneously into many cell types when cultivated as embryoid bodies (EBs). This process closely recapitulates embryogenesis. The model system of ES cell differentiation in vitro enables one to study the influence of exogeneous factors on differentiation such as growth factors and signalling molecules. Furthermore, by differentiation of 'gene targeted' or 'transgenic' ES cells the function of specific genes during differentiation can be studied. In addition adult stem cells are studied.