Breadcrumb
Synthetic EGF Receptor Drives Expansion of HPSC Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells
Presentation Year
2026
College or Department
College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Short Description of your Research or Creative Project (700 characters or less)
The liver can regenerate after injury. However, this unique capacity fails when disease or injury makes the organ hostile to transplanted cells. To address this challenge, we engineer hPSC-derived hepatocytes so they can better withstand this hostile environment and regenerate damaged tissue. We combine stem cell biology with synthetic receptor engineering to create hepatocytes with externally controllable proliferation. First, we tested that hPSCderived hepatocytes respond to epidermal growth factor (EGF). We then engineered an inducible EGF receptor (iEGFR) that activates hepatocyte proliferation in response to a dimerizing drug. This creates an "on/off" system, where proliferation is triggered by drug treatment and halted upon withdrawal. This work addresses a critical need: liver failure is a leading cause of death, and donor organ shortages leave many patients without treatment. Engineered hPSC-derived hepatocytes could provide a scalable regenerative therapy for these patients, bridging the gap of limited supply of donor organs.
Permission to Publish Work
Yes
Presentation File Upload
Primary Contact: First Name
Youyuan
Primary Contact: Last Name
Wang
Primary Contact: Email
ymw22@humboldt.edu
Primary Contact: I am a
Graduate Student
Primary Contact: Phone Number
7079725016
Indicate File Dimensions
4'x3'