Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for producing blood and immune cells throughout life and form the basis of stem cell transplants used to treat blood cancers, inherited anaemias and immune disorders. However, their use in therapy can be limited by low stem cell numbers and difficulties expanding them while maintaining their ability to regenerate the blood system.

The new research programme will investigate how HSCs are first generated and expanded in the embryo, where they have particularly strong regenerative potential. The de Bruijn Group has developed methods that allow these newly emerging stem cells to be identified in the mouse embryo and grown in the laboratory, providing a unique opportunity to study the processes that establish their properties.

The team will use these approaches to identify the molecular signals that control HSC generation and expansion, before applying what they learn to efforts to produce functional human HSCs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Generating HSCs from iPSCs could ultimately provide a more readily available source of blood stem cells for transplantation and gene therapy, although current methods remain inefficient.

Speaking about the award, Professor Marella de Bruijn said: "By uncovering the mechanisms that endow the first embryonic HSCs with their exceptional regenerative potential, we aim to identify new strategies to bring in vitro-generated HSCs closer to clinical application. I am very grateful for MRC’s support in taking our long-term research forward in this exciting direction."