ORGAN REGENERATION
We studied pharmacologic manipulation of stem cell signaling and their impact on growth and variation. Our experimental system utilized stem cells in the skin and hair follicle. In the hair follicle, cell cycle perturbations of the stem cells result in failure to regenerate new hair and give rise to conditions like balding. Our lab also utilizes embryonic stem cells and ChIP-seq to study stem cell regulation and in particular how fundamental steps in cell proliferation, e.g. ribosomal and histone production, are coordinated with differentiation.
We studied pharmacologic manipulation of stem cell signaling and their impact on growth and variation. Our experimental system utilized stem cells in the skin and hair follicle. In the hair follicle, cell cycle perturbations of the stem cells result in failure to regenerate new hair and give rise to conditions like balding. Our lab also utilizes embryonic stem cells and ChIP-seq to study stem cell regulation and in particular how fundamental steps in cell proliferation, e.g. ribosomal and histone production, are coordinated with differentiation.
HUMAN VARIATION
Human variation is one of the most fundamental characteristic of the human race. We differ in size, shape, color, disease susceptibility, diet, response to medications and more. We are interested in the mechanisms that determine how cells respond to variations in our DNA using the skin and hair as a model. A major approach developed from these studies involves the use of human hair and nails to act as historical records of development and disease exposure. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic approaches are used to identify novel aspects of human variation through hair and nail samples. We are now exploring the use of these same approaches to identify triggers of in utero and postnatal disease.
Human variation is one of the most fundamental characteristic of the human race. We differ in size, shape, color, disease susceptibility, diet, response to medications and more. We are interested in the mechanisms that determine how cells respond to variations in our DNA using the skin and hair as a model. A major approach developed from these studies involves the use of human hair and nails to act as historical records of development and disease exposure. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatic approaches are used to identify novel aspects of human variation through hair and nail samples. We are now exploring the use of these same approaches to identify triggers of in utero and postnatal disease.
RARE DISEASES AND SYNDROMES
Rare diseases are important to study because few treatments are available to address their conditions. Rare diseases often provide insights into pathways which may relate to other diseases as well. Thus, study of rare disease can have broad impact on more common conditions. Children born with germline or early post-zygotic mutations in the RAS/MAPK pathway develop multi-organ disease. Many of these defects arise from abnormalities in stem cells or their committed progenitors. Using mouse models and pharmacologic inhibitors of the RAS/MAPK pathway, Our lab is investigated the effects of these signals on skin stem cells and organ development as well as their response to pharmacologic treatment.