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Satyabrata DasView profile

Assistant Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Gene Editing
• +6 more

Dr. Satyabrata Das is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division at the University of Minnesota and a Research Associate at the Lillehei Heart Institute. His research focuses on developmental biology, vascular specification, and gene editing technologies. Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division Research Associate, Lillehei Heart Institute Research Interests: Dr. Das investigates transcriptional regulation during embryogenesis, with a focus on ETV2 and its role in hematoendothelial lineage specification. His work includes CRISPR-Cas9 applications in porcine models, vascular patterning, and cardioprotective therapies using stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Publications: His recent studies explore ETV2-pioneer factor mechanisms, endothelial reprogramming, and humanized vascular development in pigs. Key themes include developmental gene regulation, single-cell transcriptomics, and translational applications of genome editing.

Christian MayerView profile

Researcher

• Neurogenomics
• Neuronal Development
• GABAergic Neurons
• +5 more

Dr. Christian Mayer is a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Martinsried, Germany, where he heads the Neurogenomics research group. He is affiliated with the Graduate School of Systemic Neuroscience (GSN) and the International Max Planck Research School. His laboratory is embedded within a collaborative research campus that includes multiple Max Planck Institutes, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Technical University of Munich, and Helmholtz Zentrum. Dr. Mayer's research focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms controlling brain development, with particular emphasis on inhibitory neurons that use GABA as a neurotransmitter. His work spans multiple key areas: Neuronal Development and Diversity: Investigating how progenitor cells develop into specific neuron types Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation: Studying how genomic enhancers influence GABAergic neuron development Autism Spectrum Disorder Research: Examining high-risk proteins for ASD Technological Innovation: Developing novel methods like barcode lineage tracing and CRISPR perturbation sequencing Analysis of Dr. Mayer's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on single-cell approaches to understand neuronal diversity and development. His work increasingly integrates spatial transcriptomics with lineage tracing to map how cellular identity emerges during brain development. There's a clear progression from basic developmental studies toward understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorder, with a growing emphasis on the relationship between genetic risk factors and functional outcomes in neural circuits. Scientific recognition includes: EMBO Young Investigator (2023) ERC Starting Grant (2018) EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2012) Ph.D. prize for biochemistry and neurobiology (2011) Dr. Mayer maintains active collaborations with leading neuroscience institutions worldwide and supervises multiple graduate students and postdocs. His lab has secured significant funding including the ERC Starting Grant, supporting research on neuronal development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Current projects include studies on inhibitory neuron development using advanced single-cell genomics techniques and brain organoid models. The Mayer Lab operates as a multidisciplinary team combining expertise in molecular biology, single-cell genomics, epigenetics, bioinformatics, and brain organoid culture. They are embedded within the collaborative neuroscience ecosystem of the Max Planck campus in Martinsried, facilitating close interactions with complementary research groups studying neural circuits, behavior, and computational neuroscience.

Abdenour SoufiView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Chromatin Structure
• Cellular Reprogramming
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
• +4 more

Abdenour Soufi serves as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, leading research within the Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Institute for Regeneration and Repair. His laboratory investigates chromatin structure dynamics and cellular identity mechanisms with focus on developing safe reprogramming technologies for regenerative medicine. Dr. Soufi's research centers on chromatin structure and cellular identity , specifically examining how reprogramming factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) convert fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells. His group discovered that OSKM factors interact differently with fibroblast genomes compared to embryonic stem cells and face barriers accessing critical genomic regions. This foundational work drives their current efforts to engineer synthetic reprogramming factors that avoid tumorigenic risks associated with conventional methods. Analysis of his 12 publications (2014-2024) reveals consistent focus on nucleosome dynamics , transcription factor binding mechanisms , and cellular reprogramming barriers . His 2024 Nature paper demonstrates how nucleosome topology guides enhancer binding, while earlier work established how pioneer factors target partial DNA motifs on nucleosomes. Research spans fundamental chromatin biochemistry to translational applications in cancer and regenerative medicine. Scientific Awards and Recognition: MRC Career Development Award University of Edinburgh Chancellor's Fellowship Darwin Trust of Edinburgh Fellowship Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation Grant Dr. Soufi actively supervises six PhD students including Katharine Furlong and Michael O'Dwyer, and collaborates extensively with Edinburgh colleagues (Chambers, Kaji, Lowell) and international partners (Buganim, Jauch, Skoultchi). His research receives funding from CRUK, EPSRC, MRC, and BBSRC. The Soufi group maintains strong ties with the Edinburgh Mammalian Synthetic Biology Research Centre and focuses on developing clinically viable reprogramming technologies through interdisciplinary approaches combining biochemistry, genomics, and synthetic biology.

Shannon DavisView profile

Associate Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Stem Cell Research
• Genetics
• +3 more

Shannon Davis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of South Carolina's McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on stem cells and developmental biology, with a particular emphasis on pituitary gland organogenesis and genetic variability in Peromyscus rodents. Research Interests: Pituitary gland development, WNT signaling, genetic modifiers, and molecular mechanisms of hormone production. Key Collaborators: Samuel A. Camper (University of Michigan), Marla Brinkmeier, Lisa Y. Cheung, and others in pituitary and stem cell research. Her work leverages knockout mice from the International Knockout Mouse Project to study gene functions during development, linking traits like the Dominant Spot in Peromyscus to the Sox10 gene. She has authored numerous publications in journals such as Human Molecular Genetics , Cell Metabolism , and Nature Communications , often employing bioinformatics and genomic approaches. Notable trends in her recent articles include: Regulation of pituitary stem cell differentiation via WNT signaling and nucleoredoxin (2025) Investigation of obesity-induced disruptions in pituitary-hepatic communication (2024) Use of knockout models to identify human hypopituitarism cases (2024) Exploration of epigenetic mechanisms in neuronal circuitry (2022) While no specific scientific awards are detailed, her contributions span developmental biology, genetics, and computational methods in single-cell transcriptomics. Her lab integrates Peromyscus genetics with human health implications, particularly in hormone-related disorders.

• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Epigenetics
• +3 more

Raquel Garcia Vilchez is a Researcher in the Department of Physiology at the University of Santiago de Compostela, affiliated with the Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS). She holds a doctorate from the University of Salamanca (2023), where her thesis focused on the role of guanosine-7 tRNA methylation in prostate cancer progression, supervised by Dr. Sandra Blanco Benavente. Her work explores RNA epigenetics, particularly tRNA modifications and their impact on cancer biology and aging. Her research interests center on RNA modifications (e.g., m7G, m5C), their roles in translational control, and their implications in diseases like prostate cancer. She investigates how epitranscriptomic changes influence tumor progression, stress responses, and therapeutic targets. Her findings bridge basic molecular mechanisms with clinical applications in oncology. Raquel’s publications highlight advancements in detecting RNA modifications (e.g., m7G at single-nucleotide resolution) and their functional consequences. Her recent work emphasizes the interplay between transposable elements, aging, and epigenetic regulation, offering new insights into cellular stress adaptation. Despite no listed awards, her contributions to cancer epigenetics are notable in the field. While no specific grants or students are documented here, her affiliation with CIMUS suggests participation in collaborative research projects targeting chronic diseases. Her work is part of the GENOMES-DISEASE research group, focusing on genomic and epigenomic mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis.

• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Oncology
• Neurovascular Interactions
• +3 more

Marco Arese is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Turin, Italy. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms linking cancer biology with neurovascular interactions, particularly investigating the roles of synaptic proteins like Neuroligin and Neurexin in tumor progression and metastasis. He is actively involved in the Programma MD-PhD in Medicine and teaches courses on biochemical and molecular foundations of metabolism in medical programs. His work bridges oncology with neuroscience, emphasizing how proteins traditionally associated with neuronal synapses modulate cancer cell behavior. Research Interests: Cancer-neurological crosstalk Neuroligin signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC) Metastasis and vascular invasion mechanisms Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulation Therapeutic targeting of synaptic proteins Professional Activities: Member of the Department Council, Dipartimento di Oncologia Course instructor for advanced biochemistry and medical oncology modules Active in translational research targeting CRC metastasis Key Contributions: First evidence of Neuroligin's role in CRC metastasis via APC/β-catenin pathway modulation Investigation of vascular permeability regulation by LPHN2 and Neuroligin proteins Pioneering studies on extraneuronal functions of synaptic proteins in angiogenesis

Eden AmirView profile

Professor

• Epigenetics
• Cancer Genetics
• Chromatin Structure
• +3 more

Dr. Eden Amir is a Professor at the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His research focuses on epigenetic regulation in cancer, particularly DNA methylation and chromatin dynamics. He leads a lab studying epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes and its implications for cancer therapy. Amir collaborates with Prof. Yuval Dor on cell proliferation markers and develops transgenic mouse models for cancer research. He teaches advanced cell biology and chromatin structure courses. His work bridges epigenetics, chromatin biology, and cancer mechanisms, with contributions to understanding genomic instability in tumors. Key research areas include: epigenetic silencing mechanisms, cancer epigenetics, chromatin remodeling in malignant rhabdoid tumors, and direct reprogramming of epigenetic defects. His lab employs mouse models, high-throughput genomic techniques, and computational analysis. Major findings include the role of macroH2A in gene silencing and the impact of DNA hypomethylation on tumor development. Amir’s contributions to the field are evident in over 50 peer-reviewed publications, including studies in Nature and Science . He is affiliated with the Institute of Life Sciences and collaborates internationally. His research also explores therapeutic strategies targeting aberrant epigenetic states in cancer cells.

Brian HendrichView profile

Research Fellow

• Stem Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Epigenetics
• +3 more

Dr Brian Hendrich is a Principal Research Fellow at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute , affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on the transcriptional control of stem cell fate, particularly the role of chromatin-modifying proteins like the NuRD complex in gene expression dynamics during pluripotency and differentiation. Education PhD in Genetics, Stanford University (1995) Research Interests Dr. Hendrich investigates how chromatin structure and epigenetic regulators influence developmental decisions in pluripotent cells. His work bridges stem cell biology, molecular genetics, and chromatin remodeling, aiming to understand mechanisms linking gene regulation to diseases like cancer. Publications Trends His recent studies highlight the NuRD complex’s role in transcriptional noise suppression , lineage commitment , and 3D genome organization during stem cell differentiation, often using advanced techniques like single-cell Hi-C and live-cell imaging. Grants & Collaborations Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council (MRC) Wolfson College AstraZeneca Laboratory & Team Based at the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre , his group includes researchers India Baker, Jennifer Balmer, Prajakta Gade, Kateryna Kravchenko, Xiaoyan Ma, Seun Ogundele, Ramy Ragheb, and Nicola Reynolds. The lab integrates biochemical, genomic, and imaging approaches to decode stem cell fate determination.

Simón Méndez-FerrerView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche
• Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
• +4 more

Professor Simón Méndez-Ferrer leads the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and is affiliated with the Department of Haematology at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niches in health and disease, particularly myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Key themes include neuroendocrine control , circadian rhythms , and nervous system interactions with bone marrow microenvironments.

Sanjay SinhaView profile

Professor

• Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Biology
• Vascular Diseases
• +3 more

Professor Sanjay Sinha is a British Heart Foundation Senior Research Fellow and Professor in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the University of Cambridge. Based at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and affiliated with the Department of Medicine, he combines clinical cardiology practice at Addenbrooke’s Hospital with pioneering research in stem cell-based cardiovascular therapies. Cambridge Stem Cell Institute - Principal Investigator Department of Medicine - Faculty Member Addenbrooke’s Hospital - Consultant Cardiologist His research focuses on: Developing lineage-specific cardiovascular cell types from human pluripotent stem cells Creating "disease-in-a-dish" models for Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes Engineering collagen-based myocardial patches for heart repair Multiomic mapping of human heart development Investigating smooth muscle cell heterogeneity in aortic diseases Exploring SARS-CoV-2 cardiac infection mechanisms Scientific Awards: British Heart Foundation Senior Research Fellowship The Sinha Group at Cambridge Biomedical Campus includes diverse researchers working on stem cell differentiation, disease modeling, and cardiac bioengineering. Their work has been published in top journals including Nature Biotechnology, Nature Cardiovascular Research, and Development.

Mekayla StorerView profile

Researcher

• Stem Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• +3 more

Dr. Mekayla Storer is a Group Leader at the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and affiliated with the University of Cambridge's Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN). She specializes in stem cell biology and limb regeneration, focusing on digit tip regeneration mechanisms in mammals. Her research employs single-cell transcriptomics and genetic lineage tracing to study blastema formation and cell coordination during regeneration. Education: PhD from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (Barcelona, Spain) under Dr. Bill Keyes. Postdoctoral training at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Canada) with Drs. Freda Miller and David Kaplan. Current lab members include Lauren Connolly, Camille Dumas, and others. Research interests center on understanding how bone-associated cells contribute to blastema formation and regeneration, with a focus on hyaluronic acid's role in tissue mechanics. Her work bridges developmental biology and regenerative medicine, exploring evolutionary origins of regenerative capacity. Publications highlight breakthroughs in digit tip regeneration mechanisms, embryonic limb cell mapping, and senescence's role in development. Collaborations span stem cell biology, developmental genetics, and tissue engineering. No awards listed in provided texts. Labs/Teams: The Storer Group at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute conducts interdisciplinary research using in vitro blastema cultures, single-cell analysis, and in vivo models to advance regeneration science.

Kerrie MarieView profile

Research Fellow

• Melanoma Metastasis
• Developmental Biology
• Cancer Biology
• +5 more

Kerrie Marie is a Wellcome Trust ISSF Fellow at the University of Manchester's Division of Molecular & Cellular Function. Her research focuses on developmental biology, cancer biology, and computational biology, particularly exploring how embryonic melanocyte progenitor programs of the neural crest lineage relate to melanoma metastasis. She holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2013), followed by postdoctoral work at the National Cancer Institute (NIH) studying melanoma metastasis and therapy resistance. Research interests include melanoma metastasis mechanisms, immune checkpoint blockade resistance, single-cell technologies, and endoplasmic reticulum stress biology. Her lab investigates how embryonic lineage cell states are re-acquired during melanoma progression. She is accepting PhD students for projects on cell-state switching and predictive mechanical cues in development/disease. Key publications highlight lineage-specific mechanisms of metastasis, melanoma models for therapy, and single-cell analyses of tumor heterogeneity. Awards include the University of Manchester Dean's Prize. She collaborates on projects like 'Cellular Dynamics and Compartmentalisation' and 'Gene Expression and Cellular Programming.'

Jin HeView profile

Associate Professor

• Epigenetics
• Gene Regulation
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Jin He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University. His research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms in gene regulation, particularly during development and in diseases like cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. The He lab investigates dynamic epigenetic modifications at gene regulatory elements and their roles in lineage specification, cell fate determination, and tumorigenesis. Key research areas include the functional roles of histone methyltransferases (e.g., ASH1L, SMYD5) and demethylases (e.g., KDM2B, KDM6B) in neural development, autism spectrum disorder (ASD)/intellectual disability (ID), and leukemia. His studies employ mouse models, drug interventions (e.g., vorinostat), and systems biology approaches to dissect epigenetic pathways. Publications highlight interdisciplinary work in neuroscience, stem cell biology, and oncology, with a focus on translating epigenetic insights into therapeutic strategies. Collaborative projects include longitudinal omics studies and drug efficacy testing in disease models.

Esther BellView profile

Professor

• Bioscience Education
• Neural Development
• Embryology
• +3 more

Professor Esther Bell is a faculty member at King's College London, serving as the Programme Director of the Biomedical Science BSc and a Professor in Bioscience Education within the School of Neuroscience and Developmental Neurobiology department. She holds a PhD and BSc from UCL University College London. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of neural induction and embryonic development, particularly in Xenopus laevis. She has pioneered innovative teaching methods, such as integrating science fiction and role-play into embryology education. Key publications span developmental biology and medical education, addressing topics like BMP signaling in neural crest induction and germ layer specification. Awards: EMBO fellowship (2000), MRC Career Development Award (2004), Rockefeller Women in Science fellowship (1999) Recent grants include projects on cytoskeletal differentiation in cranial ectoderm (2015–2016) and pharyngeal remodelling in development (2015–2019). She actively participates in academic outreach, including school engagement and public lectures like her 2024 inaugural talk on 'Hopping into Education: from Frogs to Pedagogues'.

Ilona SkerjancView profile

Professor

• Stem Cell Research
• Muscle Development
• Biochemistry
• +7 more

Dr. Ilona Skerjanc is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. Her laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of muscle development, focusing on enhancing stem cell differentiation into cardiac and skeletal muscle through transcription factor networks and signaling pathways. Research emphasizes stem cell therapy for muscle atrophy and cardiac insufficiency Recent work explores androgen receptor signaling, MEF2C phosphorylation, and scaffold-based myogenesis Collaborates with cardiovascular and regenerative medicine teams Research Interests : Stem cell differentiation into muscle tissue Transcription factor regulation in cardiomyogenesis Signaling pathways (Wnt, Retinoic Acid, BMP4) Epigenetic modifiers in developmental biology Regenerative therapies for muscle damage Skeletal muscle progenitor expansion Scientific Awards : Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant US Muscular Dystrophy Association Grant Education : BSc, University of Ottawa PhD, McGill University Collaborators : Dr. M. Ruel (Cardiac Surgery) Dr. E.J. Suuronen (Biomaterials) Dr. D. Figeys (Proteomics) Dr. S. Li (Biochemistry)