Prof Leonardo Guasti

Leonardo Guasti

Professor of Experimental Endocrinology

FMD/WHRI/Centre for Endocrinology
QMUL
www.qmul.ac.uk/whri/people/academic-staff/items/guastileonardo.html
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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

Publications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2011

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.2010.11.010

2010

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.21292

2009

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.0809918106

2008

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

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 insufficiency
Guasti 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 carcinoma
Pittaway 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 modalities
Guasti L
£334,312 Barts Charity (01-02-2019 - 31-07-2021)
Summary
Searching cancer stem cells in adrenocortical carcinoma
Guasti L
£36,000 Rosetrees Trust (01-04-2018 - 31-03-2021)
Summary
2) A further step towards novel, personalised therapies for adrenal insufficiency
Guasti 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 L
EUR100,000 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 studentship
Guasti 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 humans
Guasti 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 gland
Guasti L
£461,193 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (01-03-2014 - 28-02-2017)
Reprogramming human cells to andrenocortical phenotype
Guasti 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