Answer to Question #246867 in Biochemistry for Noob

Question

How would I go about answering a question like this?

You have discovered a novel compound that you think may functions as a Wnt mimetic and modulate the activity of mesenchymal stem cells. You have access to human primary mesenchymal stem cells and the equipment typically found in a cell and molecular biology research laboratory. Describe a series of experiments, and indicate potential results where applicable, to investigate the following.

(a) Changes in proliferative index or induction of apoptosis

(b) Changes in mRNA expression of Wnt regulated genes

(c)   Changes in the cellular distribution of Wnt regulated proteins

(d) Changes in the phosphoprotein content of cells

Answer 1

MSCs were isolated and described about 30 years ago and now there are over 55,000 publications on MSCs readily available. Here, we have focused on human MSCs whenever possible. The MSCs have broad anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties. At present, these provide the greatest focus of human MSCs in clinical testing; however, the properties of cultured MSCs in vitro suggest they can have broader applications. The medical utility of MSCs continues to be investigated in over 950 clinical trials. There has been much progress in understanding MSCs over the years, and there is a strong foundation for future scientific research and clinical applications, but also some important questions remain to be answered. Developing further methods to understand and unlock MSC potential through intracellular and intercellular signaling, biomedical engineering,