BIO Austin Smith

AUSTIN SMITH

Medical Research Council & Wellcome Trust/MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge UK  |  CV

Austin Smith leads the Stem Cell Potency lab at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research. His lab studies embryonic stem (ES) cells and derivative tissue stem cells to understand the molecular foundations of self-renewal and commitment. They investigate determinants of the decision to retain or exit pluripotency and the mechanism of lineage choice and  the relationship between stem cell lines propagated in culture and progenitor cells in vivo. They analyse the degree of conservation between pluripotent cells from different mammalian species in order to determine whether there are generic principles underlying embryonic stem cell properties. Smith’s lab hopes to apply the knowledge gained to control the derivation, expansion and differentiation of human stem cells. They interact with clinical scientists and bioindustry to facilitate uptake and use of stem cells in the study of disease mechanisms and for drug discovery. Recent pioneering contributions include the identification of key factors for pluripotency exit and for embryonic stem cell renewal.

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