Group Leader:
Valerie Kouskoff
I did my post-graduate training with Drs. D. Mathis and C. Benoist at the Laboratoire de Genetique des Eucaryotes du CNRS in Strasbourg. I then moved to Denver, USA for a post-doctoral training with Dr D. Nemazee at the National Jewish Centre. My next move, led me to New-York, USA where I worked with Prof. G Keller at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Since September 2003, I have been a Group Leader at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Arnaud Gandillet
Alicia Gonzalez-Serrano
Scientific Officer
Stella Pearson
Graduate Students
Katalin Boros
Guilherme Costa
Sarah Lewis
Stem Cell Haematopoiesis Group
Applications are now open for our PhD programme starting in September 2010.Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to the formation of the hematopoietic lineage is of considerable interest as this should provide new insights into the mechanism of diseases that affect hematopoietic subpopulations in adult. To study hematopoietic development, we use the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells as a model system. The ability to generate differentiated cell populations from ES cells in culture offers a powerful alternative approach to the mouse embryo for studying lineage induction and specification, as this model provides easy access to large numbers of early developmental cells. Our studies focus on the formation of the first known hematopoietic precursor, the hemangioblast which give rise to both hematopoietic and endothelial lineages. Our aim is to identify the cascades of gene expression that regulate either initial hemangioblast formation or its subsequent decisions to differentiate.
Mesoderm development
In the mouse embryo, mesoderm is generated from the epiblast or embryonic ectoderm through the process of gastrulation that is initiated at approximately day 6.5 of gestation. more on mesoderm development »
The hemangioblast
The hematopoietic and endothelial lineages derive from mesoderm and are thought to develop through the maturation of a common progenitor, the hemangioblast. more on the hemangioblast »
In vitro differentiation of ES cells
The ability to generate differentiated cell populations from embryonic stem (ES) cells in culture offers a powerful alternative approach to the mouse embryo for studying lineage induction and specification, as this model provides easy access to large numbers of early developmental cells. more on In vitro differentation of ES cells »
Development and characterization of an ES cell line with GFP targeted to the brachyury locus.
To track mesoderm formation and enable us to isolate this population from developing EBs, we targeted the green fluorescence protein (GFP) gene to the brachyury locus in ES cells. more»
Mesoderm potential of the GFP populations.
We are also investigating other biological potential present in the mesoderm subpopulations, starting with the formation of cardiac muscle. more about Mesoderm potential of the GFP populations »
Brachyury-GFP mice
We have generated brachyury targeted chimera mice using the GFP-Bry ES cells. more»