Example human biology dissertation topic 5:

How stem cell niches diminish excessive stem cell proliferation

Specialised stem cell niches protect stem cells from stress and provide a ‘nursery’ environment that does not result in excessive proliferation of stem cells and uncontrolled cell cycle entry. The mechanisms by which this occurs are of continuing interest and importance, particularly within haemopoietic stem cells. The study undertakes a wide-ranging review of the existing literature on the control of stem cell proliferation and offers the possibility of a limited level of primary laboratory research. Laboratory research is confronted by the challenge of both in vivo and ex vivo cultures.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Eliasson, P. and Jönsson, J-I. (2010) ‘The hematopoietic stem cell niche: Low in oxygen but a nice place to be’, Journal of Cellular Physiology, Vol. 222, pp. 17-22.
• Sugiyama, T., Kohara, H., Noda, M. and Nagasawa, T. (2006) ‘Maintenance of the hematopoietic stem cell pool by CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling in bone marrow stromal cell niches’, Immunity, Vol. 25(6), pp. 977-988.
• Zhang, J., Niu, C., Ye, L., Huang, H., He, X., Tong, W-G., Ross, J., Haug, J., Johnson, T., Feng, J.Q., Harris, S., Wiedemann, L.M., Mishina, Y. and Li, L. (2003) ‘Identification of the haematopoietic stem cell niche and control of the niche size’, Nature, Vol. 425, pp. 836-841.