Extracellular signaling and cell fate

Research

Our research aims to systematically characterize the extrinsic biochemical and biomechanical signals that control cell fate. A major source of external signals is the extracellular matrix (ECM) where a plethora of structural proteins, ligands, enzymes and secreted factors are stored. This collection of molecules, often called matrisome, can regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. We use Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells as a model, where the cell fate mechanisms are conserved. C. elegans is an excellent in vivo model as the matrisome is maintained at its native state. Our long term goal is to apply our findings to mammalian stem cells so that the microenvironment of the ex vivo models can be improved. Our current focus areas are, 1) Elucidate the extracellular landscape controlling stem cell fate in vivo. 2) Identify the roles of cell surface receptor-ECM cross talk during stem cell development.