Identification of hematopoietic stem cells gene expression signature using systems biology and machine learning approaches

• Grant number: 24/00537-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: May 01, 2024
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Karina Griesi Oliveira
• Grantee: Hedra Marques Santos
• Host Institution: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein (SBIBAE). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03118-1 - Identification of hematopoietic stem cells gene expression signature using systems biology and machine learning approaches, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

It is common sense that finding compatible donors for bone marrow transplantation is an arduous task, although the reason for this is not very clear to the population. In fact, for genetic reasons, the chance of finding a compatible donor among siblings is 25% and among unrelated individuals, it is around 1:100,000 depending on the population. Encouraging individual registration in national donor registries is one of the strategies that can contribute to increasing the chance of finding a compatible donor. Another recent advance that also holds the promise of contributing to the treatment of people who depend on a bone marrow transplant is gene therapy. Regarding these points, there is a series of prejudices, in a way, rooted in the collective imagination that make the general population believe, erroneously, that they can contribute nothing to this issue or that they have reservations regarding these procedures: in relation to donation bone marrow, fear of safety and pain associated with the procedure; Regarding gene therapy, the fear that it could be harmful to humanity, permeated by unethical precepts, with the potential to generate mutants and indestructible beings, much better than existing ones, even fearing that they will extinguish the human species. This sometimes occurs due to lack of knowledge and misinformation. Therefore, it is essential and decisive for increasing the chances of survival for those dependent on a bone marrow transplant that adequate information is disseminated and managed among the population. The project in question aims to disseminate scientific knowledge about bone marrow transplantation, challenges and associated technologies, from an educational perspective that is both critical and analytical.