Ben Allen

Ben Allen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the mechanisms of growth factor and morphogen signaling, particularly Hedgehog (HH) signaling in development, tissue homeostasis, and cancer.

Employing techniques such as mouse genetics, chicken in ovo electroporations, and biochemical analyses, his lab investigates HH signaling regulation in embryonic/postnatal development and diseases like pancreatic cancer. Recent work explores HH pathway roles in taste organ repair, kidney morphogenesis, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.

The lab's publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, with keywords spanning developmental biology, cancer biology, and signal transduction. Subfields include pancreatic cancer progression, ciliary transport, GLI transcription factor dynamics, and tissue-specific signaling modulation. Collaborations with cancer researchers and regenerative medicine specialists are evident.

Allen's group also contributes to science education initiatives, exemplified by their "Developing Future Biologists" program targeting underrepresented undergraduate students.