Stem cells are the foundation of tissue renewal and repair, capable of generating specialized cell types and restoring function after injury. Despite their therapeutic promise, key questions remain: How are stem cells identified and regulated within living tissues? What governs their fate decisions? And how can we harness their regenerative potential when natural repair mechanisms fail?
Our lab addresses these questions using the cornea and skin as model systems—tissues with well-defined stem cell compartments and clinical relevance. We study how stem cells are regulated by their niche, how genetic and epigenetic programs control their fate, and how tissues respond to stem cell loss. Our research combines molecular biology, advanced imaging, animal models, and human tissue culture to uncover principles of regeneration and develop strategies for therapeutic intervention.
Reseach Projects
- Stem Cell–Niche Interactions in Epithelial Tissues: We explore how the microenvironment—or niche—regulates stem cell behavior in vivo. Using the cornea and skin as accessible models, we investigate how spatial organization and local signals influence stem cell maintenance, activation, and differentiation. These studies aim to define the dynamic interactions that sustain tissue homeostasis and regeneration.
- Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Stem Cell Fate: To understand how stem cells maintain their identity and function, we study the intrinsic genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that govern self-renewal, differentiation, and pathology. Our work focuses on identifying key regulatory pathways that preserve stemness and prevent premature exhaustion, with implications for improving stem cell-based therapies.
- Repairing the Stem Cell Compartment Through Dedifferentiation: When stem cells are lost due to injury or disease, tissues must activate alternative repair strategies. We investigate how epithelial tissues respond to stem cell depletion and how differentiated cells can revert to a stem-like state through dedifferentiation. By uncovering the signals that enable this plasticity, we aim to reveal natural mechanisms of regeneration that could be harnessed therapeutically.
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Engineering Regenerative Niches for Drug Discovery and Tissue Repair: Leveraging our discoveries in stem cell–niche dynamics, epigenetic control, and cellular plasticity, this project aims to optimize stem cell expansion in vitro and engineer functional tissues. By integrating organoid systems, biomimetic scaffolds, and high-throughput screening, we seek to identify niche-derived cues and compounds that drive regeneration. These platforms will accelerate drug discovery and enable next-generation therapies for epithelial repair and disease modeling.