Project

Harnessing adipocytes in regeneration

Code
BOF/24J/2023/138
Duration
01 October 2023 → 30 September 2026
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Cell signalling
    • Cellular interactions and extracellular matrix
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Dermatology
    • Immunomodulation therapy
Keywords
cellular and molecular phenotyping wound healing adipocytes
 
Project description

Wound healing of the skin generally results in the formation of a scar that is characterized by excessive collagen deposition and absence of fat. The transfer of adipocytes, or fat cells, into wounded tissue can enhance regeneration in the context of chronic wounds and irradiated skin. However, the molecular mechanisms by which adipocytes accelerate tissue repair are largely unknown. We recently obtained a single-cell transcriptomics dataset on different stages of autologous fat grafts, which revealed a substantial increase of specific chemo- and cytokines in the regeneration stage of the adipose niche. Here, we propose to study these molecules not only in fat grafting, but in a wider regenerative context. These analyses will not only instruct future improvement of surgical procedures employing transfer of fat tissue, but will also create knowledge on how to exploit the plasticity of adipocytes and the adipogenic niche in other regenerative processes, such as cutaneous wound healing.