Prof Leonardo Guasti
Professor of Experimental Endocrinology
FMD/WHRI/Centre for Endocrinology
QMUL
Research
stem cells, adrenal cortex, organoids, replacement cell therapy
Cancer Models
Interests
Expertise in reprogramming strategies to derive adrenocortical cells. Generation of normal and cancerous adrenal organoids from mice and humans.
Funded by MRC (adrenal organoids) and BBSRC (contribution of adrenal stem/progenitor cells to the physiological remodelling of the gland).
Publications
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Publications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
2011
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Guasti L, Paul A, Laufer E and King P (2011).
Localization of Sonic hedgehog secreting and receiving cells in the developing and adult rat adrenal cortex. Mol Cell Endocrinol vol. 336, (1-2) 117-122.
10.1016/j.mce.2010.11.0102010
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Igreja S, Chahal HS, King P, Bolger GB, Srirangalingam U, Guasti L,
Chapple JP, Trivellin G, Gueorguiev M, Guegan K, Stals K, Khoo B, Kumar AV, Ellard S, Grossman AB, Korbonits M and International FIPA Consortium (2010).
Characterization of aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) mutations in familial isolated pituitary adenoma families. Hum Mutat vol. 31, (8) 950-960.
10.1002/humu.212922009
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Guasti L, Richardson D, Jhaveri M, Eldeeb K, Barrett D, Elphick MR, Alexander SPH, Kendall D, Michael GJ and Chapman V (2009).
Minocycline treatment inhibits microglial activation and alters spinal levels of endocannabinoids in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Mol Pain vol. 5,
10.1186/1744-8069-5-35
Chan LF, Webb TR, Chung T-T, Meimaridou E, Cooray SN, Guasti L,
Chapple JP, Egertová M, Elphick MR, Cheetham ME,
Metherell LA and Clark AJL (2009).
MRAP and MRAP2 are bidirectional regulators of the melanocortin receptor family. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A vol. 106, (15) 6146-6151.
10.1073/pnas.08099181062008
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King PJ, Guasti L and Laufer E (2008).
Hedgehog signalling in endocrine development and disease. J Endocrinol vol. 198, (3) 439-450.
10.1677/JOE-08-0161
Grants
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Grants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
Generation of functional adrenocortical organoids from mice and humans and their preclinical testing as cell-based therapy for adrenal insufficiencyGuasti L£501,888
Medical Research Council (14-04-2024 - 13-04-2027)
Summary
The contribution of capsular and subcapsular progenitor cells in homeostatic adrenal cortex self-renewal and zonal-specific remodelling.Guasti L, Gaston-Massuet C and Rognoni E
£470,139
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-11-2021 - 31-10-2024)
Summary
Investigating the role of the Notch atypical ligand delta-like homologue 1 (DLK1) in adrenocortical carcinomaPittaway JFH and
Guasti L£256,253
Medical Research Council (31-05-2019 - 30-05-2022)
Summary
Adrenocortical carcinomas: searching for novel targets for effective treatment modalitiesGuasti L£334,312
Barts Charity (01-02-2019 - 31-07-2021)
Summary
Searching cancer stem cells in adrenocortical carcinomaGuasti L£36,000
Rosetrees Trust (01-04-2018 - 31-03-2021)
Summary
2) A further step towards novel, personalised therapies for adrenal insufficiencyGuasti L£154,505
Barts and the London Charity (06-01-2015 - 31-08-2018)
1) Study of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia adrenocortical cells reprogrammed from urine: a further step towards a novel cell therapy.Guasti LEUR100,000
Internation fund for research on Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (IFCAH) (01-03-2017 - 31-08-2018)
Defining the role of FGF21 in the pathogenesis of growth hormone resistance in childhood conditions.Guasti L£246,117
MERK-SERONO (01-12-2014 - 31-03-2018)
Summary
PhD studentshipGuasti L£84,000
Medical Research Council (01-10-2014 - 31-08-2017)
Summary
3) Generation of unlimited amount of human induced steroidogenic cells (hiSCs) by employing the cumate system.Guasti L£10,000
Society for Endocrinology (01-09-2016 - 31-08-2017)
6) Stem/progenitor cells in adrenocortical homeostasis and zonation in humansGuasti L£30,000
Rosetrees Trust (01-05-2014 - 30-04-2017)
8) Lineage conversion of blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells to an adrenocortical phenotype: a new tool to study the adrenal glandGuasti L£461,193
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-03-2014 - 28-02-2017)
Reprogramming human cells to andrenocortical phenotypeGuasti L£75,096
EU-COFUND (01-09-2014 - 28-02-2017)
LINEAGE CONVERSION OF BLOOD-DERIVED ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS TO AN ADRENOCORTICAL PHENOYPE: A NEW TECHNOLOGY TO STUDY THE ADRENAL GLAND.Guasti L£368,954
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-03-2014 - 28-02-2017)
Summary