Research Projects Identifcation of new functional markers of hematopoietic stem cellsWe are generating a library of about 2000 mouse polyclonal antisera specific for most human proteins that are on the cell mebrane or outside the cell and whose function is poorly known. The immunoproteomics platform we have set up has essentially moved towards the following points:
In silico prediction of all human genes (about 3000) with unknown function and possible expression on the cell surface or ouaside the cell (secreted).
Cloning and expression of these genes in bacteria (approx. 70-80% of the initial genes are successfully expressed and purified)
Purification of the recombinant proteins, immunisation of mice and production of specific polyclonal antisera. The library of antisera will be used to identify and characterize new lineage markers for haematopoietic stem cells (from cord blood) subpopulation with specific commitment.
Study of the ontogenesis of the immune system in patients whose immune system is reconsituted with cord blood trasplantation Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation offers the potential for curing a variety of high risk hematological diseases. However lack of suitable donors is one of the major limitation to successful transplantation. To expand the donor pool, unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been investigated as an alternative source of haematopoietic stem cells. In spite of the advantages, the clinical use of UCB transplantation, especially in adults, is still limited by the low dose of haematopoietic precursors in in a single UCB unit. Cotransplantation of two partially HLA-matched UCB units is a strategy to overcome the limitation of low cell dose. We are interested in the accurate characterization of the innate and adaptive immune-system reconstitution in patients undergoing double UCB transplantation. | 
