Topic: Role of gp-130 associated cytokines (CNTF & LIF) in the regulation of Neural Stem Cells proliferation and differentiation in the adult neurogenesis”.
Neurotrophic factors are extracellular signaling molecules that play important role in the regulation of Neural Stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation within the adult neurogenic niche in the brain. This project focuses on understanding the role that neurotrophic factors like Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) and Leukemia Inhibitor Factor (LIF) plays in fate determination of NSCs. In addition the team also plan to identify the molecular properties of CNTF and LIF responsive NSC population and to analyze its role in regulating neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Ultimately, this work will lead to generation of homogeneous cultures of Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs) that may be potentially more suitable for use in cell transplantation therapies in neurodegenerative diseases.