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Maria Genander

Senior forskare

Forskningsbeskrivning

Our group is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling stem cell maintenance, lineage specification and differentiation. These processes have to be tightly controlled to ensure self-renewing tissues with a life-long supply of cells during homeostasis. We use skin as our model system to study signaling pathways important for regulating epidermal and hair follicle stem cells in development, homeostasis and disease.    

 

Current Projects

Its is becoming clear that mechanisms important for developing tissues are often reused in cancers. Cancer stem cells drive tumor formation, analogous to how normal stem cells maintain tissues. We are characterising transcriptional networks regulating properties of embryonic epidermal stem cells and squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cells to identify unique and common signatures, with the long term aims of identifying novel therapeutic targets.

 

Current Lab Members

 

Wei Yang, Post Doc

Evelien Eenjes, Post Doc

Vera Shirokova, Post Doc

Kim Vikhe Patil, PhD student

David Grommisch, PhD student

Kylie Hin-Man Mak, PhD student

 

Interested in joining the lab?

Master and PhD projects may be available in the lab. Postdoctoral applications are welcome! Contact me directly via email.