School of Biomedical Sciences cordially invites you to join the following seminar:

Speaker: Dr. Yun Xia, Nanyang Assistant Professor, Provost’s Chair in Stem Cell Biology, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Talk Title: Reconstructing tissue microenvironment for studying kidney development and disease

Date: 9 October 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 2, G/F, William M.W. Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road
Host: Professor Mu He

Biography

Dr. Xia is a Nanyang Assistant Professor and Provost’s Chair in Stem Cell Biology at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research focuses on developing human stem cell-based models to study kidney development and disease. Dr. Xia’s laboratory leverages direct differentiation and multicellular self-organization to generate kidney organoids that recapitulate the key structural and functional properties of the native organ. In recognition of her contributions to kidney organoid research, Dr. Xia received the SCSS Dr. Susan Lim Award for Young Investigator from the Stem Cell Society Singapore in 2020 and was selected to join the EMBO Global Investigator Network in 2021. Since 2022, she has served as an Associate Editor for Kidney International.

Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney organoids recapitulate key spatiotemporal aspects of kidney morphogenesis but exhibit only rudimentary function. One major limitation of current organoid models is the underrepresentation of generic cell types, such as vasculature and immune cells, which are essential for physiological function. Our laboratory is dedicated to developing methodologies for generating kidney organoids with a comprehensive repertoire of cell types, encompassing both tissue-specific and generic populations. By recreating a physiologically relevant tissue microenvironment and enabling intercellular crosstalk, we aim to enhance structural complexity, promote functional maturation, and more accurately model disease pathogenesis. This effort seeks to deepen our understanding of how diverse cell types interact within a multicellular system during development and disease. To achieve these goals, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that integrates multi-lineage differentiation, self-organization, genetic perturbation, xenotransplantation, and single-cell analysis. Through these strategies, we strive to dissect disease-specific phenotypes and mechanisms, with a particular focus on identifying targetable pathways for therapeutic intervention.

ALL ARE WELCOME.