Romano Lab

Rose-Anne Romano, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Oral Biology. Her research program is centered on molecular and genomic approaches to understand oral epithelial development and differentiation, stem cell biology, and salivary gland regeneration. Using a combination of genetic model systems and advanced bioinformatics-based toolkits, her work investigates how transcriptional and epigenomic states shape gene regulatory networks and signaling pathways that become altered in oral health and disease.

Through these studies, her laboratory aims to elucidate fundamental mechanisms governing cell fate decisions and lineage specification, while also identifying actionable targets and strategies to promote tissue repair, functional restoration, and regenerative therapies.

The Romano Lab's research focuses broadly on the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that govern the development and differentiation of epithelial-rich tissues including the salivary gland. In particular, our lab studies the lineage-specific master transcription factor p63, a member of the p53 protein family. Using transgenic and knockout mouse models generated in our lab, we have demonstrated the critical role of p63 in directing stem and progenitor cell function and guiding lineage decisions processes essential for the proper development of multiple tissues and organs, including the oral epithelium, and the salivary glands.

• Jason Osinski, BS, research technician 
• Theresa Wrynn, BS, PhD candidate
• Phuc Duong, BS, PhD candidate

• Role of transcription factors in directing cell fate decisions in the salivary gland. Investigating how p63 and other key transcription factors influence key stages of salivary gland formation, including cell specification, structural organization, and early morphogenesis.
• Stem cell renewal and organ homeostasis. Studying how various transcriptional regulators drive the maintenance and self-renewal of salivary gland stem/progenitor cells, which is essential for tissue stability and long-term function.
• Tissue repair and regeneration. Exploring the contribution of p63 to injury response and regenerative processes within the salivary gland.
• Signaling pathways and transcriptional networks. Defining the pathways and gene regulatory networks that control stem/progenitor cell behavior in the salivary gland during normal and diseased states through molecular, biochemical, and genomic approaches.
• Epithelial–Immune Interactions in Sjögren’s Disease. Using robust genetic models, we investigate cell-type–specific transcriptional and signaling mechanisms that drive disease onset and epithelial–immune interactions. Our goal is to identify early molecular events and potential targets for more precise therapies.

Location: 510 Biomedical Research Building
Laboratory Phone: 716-829-3668