Stem Cell Research Possibilities Broader Than Debate Indicates

BOSTON – As the debate over the use of embryonic stem cells heats up in Massachusetts, there is a wealth of research potential in adult stem cells, according to a professor and genomics researcher at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

“Our lab is very interested in measuring large-scale gene expression in stem cells, either adult stem cells or embryonic stem cells,” said Roderick Jensen, the Alton Brann Distinguished Professor of Physics, Biology, and Mathematics.  “This allows us to understand how stem cells, or progenitor cells, transform to terminally-differentiated cell types, like heart cells, liver cells, or brain cells.”

Jensen, who also directs the Center for Environmental Health Science and Technology (CEHST) at UMass Boston, has a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Princeton University. UMass Boston is currently conducting large scale gene expression studies of normal human cell types and adult human stem cells.

“There is still a great deal to be learned about adult stem cells and their characteristic patterns of gene expression, and how they transform into tissues,” said Jensen. “Our lab at UMass Boston is very interested in exploring these scientific questions, both for adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.”

Jensen's laboratory is a functional genomics laboratory, called the Biotechnology Center at UMass Boston. The laboratory was previously at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. It was relocated to UMass Boston in December.

“One of the major activities of this laboratory is measuring large scale gene expression, the differences in normal human cells and tissues,” a vital component to the advancement of stem cell research, Jensen said.

Contact Professor Roderick Jensen:
Phone: 617-287-6032
Email: Roderick.Jensen@umb.edu

Ed Hayward
University Communications
UMass Boston
617-287-5302 (o)
617-593-6286 (c)
ed.hayward@umb.edu