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Hans-Willem Snoeck, MD, PhD
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About Me
Language
Position
About Me
Language
Position
Education
MD, University of Antwerp
PhD, University of Antwerp
, Antwerp University Hospital
, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Research
ES cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and can be maintained in a pluripotent state in defined conditions in both human and mouse. The capacity of embryonic stem (ES) cells to differentiate and generate diverse cell types in culture together with the access to virtually unlimited numbers of tissue-specific progenitors in these differentiation cultures provides a novel source of cells for cell replacement therapy. Furthermore, the recent discovery that adult, somatic cells can be reprogrammed using a relatively simple procedure to a pluripotent state (induced pluripotent cells, or iPS cells) opens the way for the generation of patient-specific ES cells, which would overcome rejection problems associated with transplantation of ES cell-derived tissues. The thymus is required for the development of T cells from very early hematopoietic precursors, which continuously seed this organ from the bone marrow. Before and during adolescence, the thymus begins to involute, and the production of naive T cells decreases. While thymic involution in young individuals is likely under evolutionary selection and therefore probably beneficial, further thymic involution in old individuals may be detrimental to health, and perhaps to longevity. It is widely hypothesized that improving thymic function in the elderly will increase health, and perhaps extend life span. We are therefore developing approaches to generate functional thymic tissue from embryonic stem cells.
Locations
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.
Dr. Snoeck has not yet completed reporting of Industry relationships.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.