Stem cells are nascent cells with the potential to mature into the various tissues of the body. The Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology at NYU, established in January 2005, links scientists and individual laboratory groups working in some of the most exciting, promising areas of stem cell research. With a particular emphasis on translational and clinical research projects, the Kimmel Center crosses departmental and programmatic boundaries, with a focus on germ cell biology, neurobiology, immunology, dermatology, cardiology, and cancer biology. The Center is committed to educating new, interdisciplinary generations of stem cell researchers.

Researchers use developmental and molecular genetic approaches, biochemical and structural biology studies, and cell imaging techniques to address the fundamental aspects of stem cell behavior in animal model systems and to relate these to human cancer stem cell systems. In translating the understanding of animal stem cells to human embryonic stem cell research, NYU's researchers affect the design of innovative therapies for cancer and other diseases.

The Intrigue of Cancer Stem Cells

Previous approaches to cancer therapy have targeted the entire tumor. Like organs, tumors have a hierarchy of cells-some primitive and some more differentiated. Cancer is thought to arise in the primitive cells. Results of recent studies suggest that a particular population of cells within a tumor may be responsible for malignant transformation.

Stem cells and tumor cells share many common features-most importantly, their ability to "self-renew." Thus, a small population of cancer-causing cells may self-renew within a larger population of non-cancerous cells. Only a small fraction of tumor cells are likely to be primitive, however. Since these are the cells capable of self-renewal, they must be identified and isolated.

An enlightened understanding of stem cell biology may enable researchers to identify, isolate, and eliminate primitive cancer stem cells, potentially leading to better targeted therapies.

Research Areas

General information about NYU's investigations into the biology of animal stem cells to create targeted treatment methods for human cancer.

Major Accomplishments

Highlights of research cccomplishments by NYU Cancer Stem Cell Biology Program members.

Program Members