Stem Cell Biology Group

Jonas Muhr
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd
Karolinska Institutet
Box 240
SE-171 77 Stockholm
Sweden

Visiting Address: Nobels Väg 3

Phone: +46 8 524 871 57
Fax: +46 8 33 28 12

J. Muhr  Ph.D., Assistant Member

The overall goal of our research is to unveil general principles that underlie the regulation of stem and progenitor cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Important aims include the characterization of molecular pathways that direct neural stem cells towards neuronal differentiation, and the examination of how these processes are antagonized by mechanisms that maintain neural stem cells in an undifferentiated and proliferative state. This knowledge will also be used to reveal molecular similarities and differences between somatic stem cells and stem cells contributing to the development and growth of brain tumors.

We have previously demonstrated that Sox transcription factors, belonging to the family of High-Mobility-Group (HMG), proteins have important regulatory roles during these processes (See references below). Our ongoing research aim to address three main questions: 1, How do Sox proteins achieve their distinct activities in term of downstream gene regulation? 2, What are the roles of Sox proteins in the developing mouse forebrain. 3, How do these regulatory programs promote or suppress the development and maintenance of brain tumor stem cells? To address these issues we are using various screening methods (including ChIP-seq, micro-arrays, yeast-2-hybrid etc), mouse models, embryo electroporation and primary cell cultures.

The Group

• Bergsland, Maria  Ph.D. Student
  
• Hagey, Daniel  Ph.D. Student
  
• Karlén, Alexandra  Postdoctoral Fellow
  
• Klum, Susanne  Ph.D. Student
  
• Kurtsdotter, Idha  Ph.D. Student
  
• Rezaian, Soheilla  Senior Technician
  
• Sandberg, Magnus  Ph.D. Student
  
• Zaouter, Cecile  Ph.D. Student
  

Selected Publications

• Holmberg, J., Hansson, E., Malewicz, M., Sandberg, M., Perlmann, T., Lendahl, U., and Muhr, J. (2008). SoxB1 transcription factors and Notch signaling use distinct mechanisms to regulate proneural gene function and neural progenitor differentiation. Development 135, 1843-1851.
• Bergsland M., Werme M., Malewicz M., Perlmann T. and Muhr J. (2006) The establishment of neuronal properties is controlled by Sox4 and Sox11. Genes Dev. 20:3475-3486.
• Sandberg M., Källström M. and Muhr J. (2005) Sox21 promotes the progression of vertebrate neurogenesis. Nat. Neurosci. 8, 995-1001.
• Bylund M., Andersson E., Novitch B.G. and Muhr J. (2003) Vertebrate neurogenesis is counteracted by Sox1-3 activity. Nat. Neurosci. 6, 1162-1168.

Theses

• Regulation of Neurogenesis In the Vertebrate CNS. Magdalena Källström 14-Mar-2008