Investigating the effect of diabetes on the regenerative potential of stem cells

Introduction: The research of stem cell-based tissue regeneration has been booming in the last few decades, with many promising outcomes and some reaching clinical applications. Adult stem cell characterization has proven its excellent potential in regenerating almost all body tissues.

However, the effect of long-term systemic conditions on dental and skeletal stem cell regeneration potentials is still a research gap. The number of diabetic patients is growing worldwide (422 million), and in Egypt (15% of the population).

Hence it is of utmost importance to investigate stem cell regeneration potentials under diabetic conditions, to address wound-healing complications associated with diabetes. Dr.

El-Gendy has established a research group with extensive expertise in characterizing stem cells in health and in disease conditions. My research interest is currently aligned with Dr.

El-Gendy’s group research focus, as based on my expertise, I have been appointed as a member of the stirring committee of the newly established stem cells and tissue engineering unit at Cairo University in 2020. However, my research expertise is mainly in vivo (animal) models.

Hence, the purpose of this visit is to be exposed to the vast knowledge and expertise of the visiting institution in stem cell characterization and tissue regeneration under diabetic conditions. I will work with Dr. El-Gendy on investigating changes in the gene expression of stem cells isolated from diabetic patients.

The research component will include developing my research skills in in-vitro methods including cell culture, and gene expression techniques. If successful I will be provided with comprehensive training in these methods at the visiting institute.

Based on this training, I will also be able to contribute some data collection and analysis to the project, which will grant me co-authorship in a high-impact world-class publication with Dr. El-Gendy’s group. I will discuss the logistics of establishing a new and long-term collaboration with Dr.

El-Gendy using the diabetic rat experimental model that I have established in Egypt, with the scope of applying for joint funding.

I will present my research at the Leeds School of Dentistry research seminar series, which might help establish more collaborations with other members of the Leeds dental school based on my expertise.

Although I anticipate that the lab work will be the main focus of this fellowship, I will be meeting with the Leeds School of Dentistry biomedical science teaching team, to exchange experiences and to understand the teaching system at Leeds University School of Dentistry (a Russell group and a world-class university).