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Reveal the epigenetic roadmap that directs progenitor differentiation and tissue formation
My lab is set to understand the molecular nature of the epigenetic machinery that dictates stem cell and progenitor properties under both physiological contexts and disease scenarios.
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OUR RESEARCH
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Probe epigenetic regulations that control progenitor expansion and differentiation
The precise control over progenitor proliferation is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis. While precocious differentiation compromises tissue integrity, delayed onset of differentiation leads to tissue overgrowth and possibly tumorgenesis. Exposures to external cues are thought to determine the onset of differentiation. However, little is known about how progenitors become competent to respond to induction cues in vivo. Thus, my main research interest is to understand the establishment of epigenetic landscape that dictates progenitor competence to control the timing of transition from progenitors to differentiated cells.
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Visualize epigenetic inheritance using UAS-GAL4::GFP construct
During cell divisions, the transcription state of individual genes is epigenetically inherited so that the mother cell and the daughter cell share very similar transcriptome.
However, by examining if GFP expression is preserved during cell divisions, we use UAS-GAL4::GFP as an epigenetic timstamp. We discovered that the precursor cells (i.e., stem cells and progenitors) may initially allow less epigenetic inheritance to underlie their proliferative property. |
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What are we working on now?
#1: Epigenetic machinery that controls the proliferation & differentiation switch
> Identify and investigate the key epigenetic machinery |
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#2 Epigenetic regulations that are modulated by proteins and beyond
> determine Non-coding RNAs and protein stability regulation |
