Currently, Dr. Rong Lu conducts research at the University of Southern California (USC). Her lab investigates stem cell malfunction, regulation, and coordination at the single cell level (1). Furthermore, she uses mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as a model system (1). Dr. Lu’s research utilize various disciplines of biology such as molecular, cellular, and systems biology (1). Additionally, Dr. Lu’s research focuses on investigating the differences and coordination between individual stem cells (1). Essentially, her research provides new information about how diseases such as leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome originate (1). Ultimately, Dr. Lu’s research can contribute in developing new therapeutic targets to combat those diseases
…show more content…
Although individual stem cells can be differentially regulated, their overall actions must be strictly synchronized to ensure proper tissue function (1). Currently, defects and heterogeneity of cells are obstacles in treating cancer and other various diseases (1). Therefore, Dr. Lu’s lab is fascinated in investigating stem cell and cancer at the single cell level (1). Specifically, the Lu Lab is interested in understanding the coordination and regulation of HSCs during transplantation (1). Dr. Lu’s research not only asks how individual HSCs regulate and produce different types and amounts of blood cells, but also how distinct HSCs harmonized to ensure a balanced blood supply (1). Moreover, Dr. Lu’s research is directed to answer how the miscommunications amongst stem cells cause diseases and how individual stem cell clones differentially contribute to carcinogenesis (1). With these research questions, the Lu Lab would like to exploit the underlying mechanism of cellular differences in order to control the overall populace of stem cells and to improve bone marrow transplantation (1). The goal of Dr. Lu’s research to develop a treatment that target the responsible stem cell clones …show more content…
Lu presented a great amount of data about how she was able to combine systems biology with single cell analysis to study HSCs, she explained the implications of her concluding results (5). Some of these results and implications will be further explained in the supporting research section. The research done by the Lu lab showed that at the clonal level, HSCs were able to respond to the presence of other HSCs and change their differentiation (5). Furthermore, donor HSC dosage was able to influence the number of HSC clones that supplied blood cells immediately after transplantation, but not over the long run (5). Moreover, clonal dominance was drastically more present at low HSC dosages (5). Data indicated that more HSC clones are lineage balanced at high HSC dosages (5). However, at low HSC dosages, more HSC cells were lymphoid biased (5). Additionally, lymphoid bias was induced by the addition of MPPs (5). Most importantly, Dr. Lu observed that clinically, donor HSC dosage might positively impact the survival of patients who are enduring leukemia treatment
Although individual stem cells can be differentially regulated, their overall actions must be strictly synchronized to ensure proper tissue function (1). Currently, defects and heterogeneity of cells are obstacles in treating cancer and other various diseases (1). Therefore, Dr. Lu’s lab is fascinated in investigating stem cell and cancer at the single cell level (1). Specifically, the Lu Lab is interested in understanding the coordination and regulation of HSCs during transplantation (1). Dr. Lu’s research not only asks how individual HSCs regulate and produce different types and amounts of blood cells, but also how distinct HSCs harmonized to ensure a balanced blood supply (1). Moreover, Dr. Lu’s research is directed to answer how the miscommunications amongst stem cells cause diseases and how individual stem cell clones differentially contribute to carcinogenesis (1). With these research questions, the Lu Lab would like to exploit the underlying mechanism of cellular differences in order to control the overall populace of stem cells and to improve bone marrow transplantation (1). The goal of Dr. Lu’s research to develop a treatment that target the responsible stem cell clones …show more content…
Lu presented a great amount of data about how she was able to combine systems biology with single cell analysis to study HSCs, she explained the implications of her concluding results (5). Some of these results and implications will be further explained in the supporting research section. The research done by the Lu lab showed that at the clonal level, HSCs were able to respond to the presence of other HSCs and change their differentiation (5). Furthermore, donor HSC dosage was able to influence the number of HSC clones that supplied blood cells immediately after transplantation, but not over the long run (5). Moreover, clonal dominance was drastically more present at low HSC dosages (5). Data indicated that more HSC clones are lineage balanced at high HSC dosages (5). However, at low HSC dosages, more HSC cells were lymphoid biased (5). Additionally, lymphoid bias was induced by the addition of MPPs (5). Most importantly, Dr. Lu observed that clinically, donor HSC dosage might positively impact the survival of patients who are enduring leukemia treatment