Hematopoiesis sustains life by continuously producing and renewing the diverse cells of the blood. Our laboratory seeks to uncover the principles that govern hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homing, maintenance, differentiation, and regeneration within specialized tissue niches.
Our research leverages cutting-edge single-cell technologies to dissect the heterogeneity of the hematopoietic niches at an unprecedented resolution. We are particularly interested in identifying and characterizing rare subpopulations of cells within the niches that play pivotal roles in hematopoiesis. By analyzing the spatial localization and functional states of these cells, we aim to uncover the molecular signatures that dictate their recognition of and architectural support for HSCs.
By combining cutting-edge technologies like CRISPR gene editing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and advanced imaging techniques, our laboratory is poised to make significant contributions to the field of developmental and regenerative hematology.
Skeletal muscle, the body's largest tissue, orchestrates organismal metabolism, immune surveillance, and neuromuscular integration beyond locomotion. We investigate the organizing principles governing muscle development, homeostasis, and regeneration, specifically how tissue adapts to metabolic demands of exercise and subsequently executes repair.
Using quantitative in vivo imaging spanning organelle-to-tissue scales, we dissect how mitochondrial spatial organization and plasticity shape contractile performance and metabolic flexibility. We further decode the niche dialogue among muscle fibers, immune cells and muscle stem cells that maintains tissue integrity during homeostatic turnover and regenerative repair.
Our goal is to reveal the organizing and adaptive architectural codes that enable muscle tissues to remain resilient throughout life, informing strategies to enhance performance and counteract degenerative myopathies.
