Intrinsic Mechanisms
Transcriptional Control of Stem Cell Activity
A number of transcription factors are expressed in the bulge stem cell compartment and control intrinsic aspects of stem cell function in the hair follicle. We are studying how the expression of a transcription factor, NFATc1, is regulated in the hair follicle stem cell compartment. NFATc1 is uniquely restricted to the follicular stem cell compartment and represses stem cell activity. We are using cell biology, biochemistry and imaging to define how NFATc1 is regulated in the skin.
The hair follicle grows down into the dermis which is filled with multiple cell types that control extrinsic mechanisms of development and tissue homeostasis. We are analyzing how these cell types function to regulate stem cell activity in the skin. In particular we are focusing on how these signaling and cell interactions from non-epithelial cells regulates epithelial cell behavior.
The main goal of regenerative medicine is to convert undifferentiated cells into specific cell types to be used to repair diseased or damaged tissue. This project aims to uncover the specific mechanisms that drive the generation of skin stem cells using hES cells as a model system. Our data will be applicable to understanding how to generate fully functional tissue replacements for therapeutic treatment of skin disorders such as burns, wounds and genetic abnormalities.
Extrinsic Mechanisms
Stem cell regulation by cell signaling
Stem Cell Formation