Stem and Progenitor Cell Biology

Salivary gland morphogenesis, homeostasis and regeneration depends on the delicate balance of self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. Salivary gland dysfunction, such as hyposalivation associated with Sjögren’s Syndrome and from γ-irradiation therapy of Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma patients, constitutes major health problems with limited treatment options. Our laboratory studies transcriptional and signaling networks that regulate stem and progenitor cell function in the salivary gland utilizing genetic, genomic and epigenomic approaches, genetic mouse models and cutting-edge techniques such as bulk and single cell next generation sequencing. Our studies have offered new molecular insights into cell fate trajectories and differentiation states of stem cells in the salivary gland, which we plan to leverage for our long-term goals of developing stem cell-based approaches to treat patients with salivary gland dysfunction.