Our research is focused on understanding the molecular underpinnings of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD).... Read more about Chad Cowan, Ph.D.

The step-by-step differentiation of embryonic cells into different types of neurons lays the foundation for our sensory responses, motor commands, and cognitive behaviors. Our research explores such differentiation programs in mammals using a combination of genetic, embryological, and molecular biological methods. While the generation of such neural diversity is a complex process culminating in the most sophisticated of wiring circuits, one simplifying approach is to start by tracking the specification, differentiation, and migration paths taken by specific sets of cells originating from primitive neuroectoderm.... Read more about Susan Dymecki, MD, PhD

Transcriptional mechanisms of pluripotency and cellular reprogramming

We study key transcriptional and gene regulatory events that lead to the acquisition and maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells (ESCs).  ESCs can self-renew or differentiate to produce most of the cells of the body. These distinct but developmentally relevant cell fates are defined by their unique gene expression signatures. Proper execution of these developmental programs requires the precise tuning of gene expression by transcription factors, coactivators and corepressors.  Indeed, aberrant transcriptional regulation is the root of many human diseases including developmental disorders, cancers and degenerative diseases.... Read more about Yick W. Fong, PhD

Understanding development arising from stem cells using molecular profiles like gene expression microarray, genome wide methylation marks, RNASeq, and histone mark dynamics is currently our state of the art. All of these approaches measure a single dimension of molecular event. How can this be translated to how the cell is functioning at the developmental time point, and how can this be compared between experiments that are using different platforms, cell types, and whatever else?... Read more about Winston Hide, PhD

Currently I am focused on ways of exploiting the emerging genetics of neuropsychiatric disorders to develop models that will ultimately facilitate the discovery of much needed new therapeutics.... Read more about Steven Hyman, MD

The Meissner laboratory uses genomic tools to study stem cell biology with a particular focus on epigenetic reprogramming. The term epigenetic refers to...