In vivo studies of stem cell-like divisions in C. elegans

Abstract

The proliferation of progenitor cells and tissue‐specific stem cells underlies the formation and maintenance of tissues and organs. The long‐term maintenance of stem cells can be achieved by asymmetric cell divisions that combine self‐renewal with the generation of daughter cells that initiate a differentiation program. Alternatively, symmetric cell divisions can be used to expand the stem cell population. A tight balance between these division modes prevents both tumorous over‐proliferation and premature differentiation. The research described in this thesis is aimed at finding the mechanisms that control the balance between proliferative and asymmetric stem cell divisions. These studies are based on live observations of cell division during the development of a genetic model animal.