Stem Cell, Molecular & Developmental Genetics
Our research in developmental biology offers insights into tissue formation, stem cell differentiation, and developmental disorders. It links stem cell biology, genetics, and disease mechanisms, guiding therapeutic interventions and regenerative medicine, with a focus on musculoskeletal, neurological, metabolic, and aging-related conditions.
Developmental biology provides invaluable insights into the molecular events that drive cell fate decisions as tissues and organs are formed during embryogenesis. Starting from a single totipotent stem cell, namely the fertilized zygote, progressive lineage differentiation via pluripotent stem cells leads to the approximately 200 cell types in the body. We can now reprogram somatic cells from human skin, blood or urine back to induced pluripotent or multipotent stem cells. These stem cell models enable the study of common and rare diseases using patient derived cells. In the school, stem cell biology, developmental biology and functional genetics work hand in hand to resolve complex questions in understanding disease mechanism, age-related functional decline, control of cell identity and cell function, with the opportunity to provide pharmacological or genetic therapeutic interventions. Specific areas of focus include musculoskeletal, neurological, metabolic defects, ageing and regenerative medicine.
