Manufacture of Hepatocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Grant Data
Project Title
Manufacture of Hepatocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Principal Investigator
Professor Tse, Hung Fat
(Project Coordinator (PC))
Co-Investigator(s)
Mr Yang Jiayin
(Co-Investigator)
Miss Ho Wai In
(Co-Investigator)
Miss Wei Rui
(Co-Investigator)
Duration
14
Start Date
2020-05-15
Completion Date
2021-07-14
Amount
469099
Conference Title
Manufacture of Hepatocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Keywords
Hepatocytes, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Manufacture
Discipline
Others - Medicine, Dentistry and Health
HKU Project Code
PiH/110/20
Grant Type
Postdoctoral Hub Programme for ITF projects
Funding Year
2020
Status
Completed
Objectives
Due to the shortage of liver donors, there is no enough primary hepatocytes for drug development, including drug toxicity test and drug efficacy test. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated into hepatocytes like cells, which greatly facilitates of disease modelling and drug development for inherited liver diseases or viral hepatitis. However, compared with primary hepatocytes, hepatocytes derived from iPSCs are immature. In this study, we will screen compounds that can promote the maturation of hepatocytes derived from iPSCs and optimize the directed hepatic differentiation protocol as well. Then iPSC-derived hepatocytes will be transplanted into FRG mice, which will be used as an incubator to manufacture hepatocytes in a large scale. Since iPSCs are derived from individuals and can be genetically manipulated, it is feasible to obtain hepatocytes with any designed genetic background. These hepatocytes can provide an unlimited source of hepatocytes for drug toxicity testing and efficacy testing, as well as antiviral drug development.