Projects / Programmes
Differentiation of urothelial cell
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2013
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.03.00 |
Medical sciences |
Neurobiology |
|
| 3.04.00 |
Medical sciences |
Oncology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B210 |
Biomedical sciences |
Histology, cytochemistry, histochemistry, tissue culture |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.01 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Basic medicine |
uroepithelium, differentiation, cytokeratin, Golgi apparatus, cell culture, urinary tract diseases
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The work has focused on urothelium, the tissue that lines much of the urinary tract including urinary bladder. Normal urothelium has a number of highly specialized features, which complement the function of the urothelium to provide an accommodating urinary barrier. The most notably feature is aysmmetric unit membrane (AUM) of the superficial urothelial cell. AUM is one of the major urothelial specific differentiation markers, beside the others as for example cytokeratins and the morphology of apical plasma membrane. The program of our work based around the following topic:
The study of urothelial specific differentiation markers, its expression, localization and supramolecular organization in urinary tract. Specific questions will be addressed on AUM maturation between Golgium and plasma membrane as well as on the role of exo- and endocytosis in urothelial cell.
In order to study the specialized properties of urothelium as reflected in bladder pathogenesis in particular, tumour cells we shall study differentiation of the cells in primary explants culture of urinary bladder urothelium and in urothelial cells of patient with urinary tract diseases.
The fourth areas that we are presently concentate on are: to determine the biogenesis of AUM, the role of urothelial specific differentiation markers, as well as the study of the membrane turn over, and the establishment of the reciprocal relationship between the lamina propria and urothelium.
The program is intended to lead to an improve understanding of urothelial cell structure and function in terms of cell differentiation. It will have applications in identifying urothelial specific markers for diagnosis and in development of autologous urothelial cell cultures.
Significance for science
Our scientific work fit into the broad spectrum of currently important areas of cell biology, such as differentiation, vesicular traffic and cell junctions. In the area of urothelial biology we are well recognised group in the world, as demonstrated in citations of our published work, invited talks and continuous cooperation with world leading groups (Tung-Tien Sun, University of New York, USA, Matthew Mulvey, University of Utah, USA and Jennifer Southgate, University of York, Great Britain). We study therapeutic substances for the treatment of urinary bladder tumours within a bilateral project with Federal Republic of Brazil. Investigations of human urinary bladder tumours (cooperation with Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana) enable translation of basic cell biology knowledge to better understanding of urothelium-related diseases. Developments of new experimental models of urothelial differentiation, regeneration and diseases mean innovative approach to studies of differentiation, regeneration and carcinogenesis as well as to studies of therapeutics’ action. The development of urothelial substitutes is important contribution to the tissue engineering progress. Urothelial (and urinary bladder) grafts could improve treatment of many urologic disorders. Work in the field of nanomedicine (selective targeting of nanoparticles, chitosan) will combine basic knowledge and clinical praxis.
Significance for the country
The research programme is significant in a few areas, namely: 1. The Institute of Cell Biology runs projects for pharmaceutical company (Lek d.o.o.) 2. Members of the programme group run courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. They are authors of university textbooks and other study materials. 3. Members of the programme group are mentors to undergraduate and postgraduate students. 4. Members of the programme group appear in public media with discussions and as propagators of science. 5. Members of the programme group hold a patent. 6. We promote Slovenia with invited talks at international congresses and at foreign universities. 7. With our research, we want to achieve practical and applicable goals based on basic knowledge. 8. Young researchers are always involved in our work. Young researchers, who had successfully finished their postgraduate studies, were employed either as teaching staff at University of Ljubljana or as researchers.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
