Schroeder

Project Title: Visualisation of transcription factor network dynamics in living stem cells

The molecular control of the pluripotent state is of great scientific interest. In recent years, many components of the molecular network influencing the induction and maintenance of the pluripotent state have been discovered. The three transcription factors Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 have been identified as core molecules in this network. However, the exact topology and of the network, its stability, and the expression dynamics of its components in pluripotent cells over time remain elusive. We therefore plan to measure the expression of the three core network components Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 non-invasively at the protein level in individual living cells and in a quantitative manner, over several days, with high temporal resolution and in combination with the cell fate choices of the pluripotent cells and all of their progeny. These measurements of unprecedented precision will be enabled by a novel bioimaging technology developed in our laboratory. The stability of the network will be tested by manipulating the expression levels of individual network components. The generated data will be an invaluable prerequisite for all computer based modelling approaches of the pluripotent state.