Microenvironmental Cell Biology

Our goal is to understand how cells integrate molecular signals to build, shape and maintain different tissues.

The architecture, homeostasis and function of the organs is defined at the cellular level by the integration of a myriad of molecular signals.  In our lab, we study how stem cells, progenitor cells, and somatic cells integrate microenvironmental signals, as well as how the underlying cascades define cellular identity, behaviour and resilience. We focus on unravelling molecular mechanisms in signal transduction, especially in the context of WNT signalling (See our consortium), DNA replication and damage, chromosome segregation fidelity, and innate immune response, which misregulation often leads to disease, notably cancer. Further, we aim at understanding how different environmental signals, including contaminants of emerging concern, impact these cellular and physiological processes. 

To address these questions, we integrate cutting edge live cell imaging, single-cell genome, transcriptome and replication sequencing (scG&T-seq, scEdU-seq, sci-RNA-seq), and genome editing techniques with detailed molecular analyses in 2D/3D stem cell models of development, tissue homeostasis, ageing and cancer, including organoids.

Group members

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