Endoderm Development Professors and Supervisors

Eilon ShaniView profile

Professor

German Research Centre for Food ChemistryGermany

Professor Eilon Shani is a leading researcher at Tel Aviv University's George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, where he serves in the School of Plant Sciences and Food Security. He leads the Shani Lab, which focuses on overcoming functional redundancy to uncover transport mechanisms in plants. His research spans multiple institutions through significant international collaborations, particularly through a $10M ERC Synergy Grant with Nottingham University, University of Regensburg, and NTNU. Prof. Shani's research interests center on three major areas: developing genome-scale CRISPR tools to overcome functional redundancy in plants; understanding molecular factors regulating plant hormone transport mechanisms (auxin, ABA, gibberellin, cytokinin) and nutrient uptake; and revealing how plants sense and respond to water stress. His innovative approaches address the challenge that 80% of Arabidopsis genes belong to families with at least two members, making traditional single-gene knockout approaches insufficient for understanding many plant functions. His publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly sophisticated genome editing techniques applied to both model organisms and crops. Recent work focuses on multi-targeted CRISPR approaches, hormone transporter identification, and the cellular mechanisms of hormone distribution. Keywords across his publications consistently include plant hormone transport, functional redundancy, genome editing, and stress responses, with subfields spanning CRISPR technology, membrane transporters, hormone homeostasis, and plant adaptation mechanisms. Prof. Shani has received significant recognition through multiple prestigious grants including ERC Starting Grant (2018), ERC Proof of Concept Grant (2023), and the major ERC Synergy Grant (2024), along with HFSP, ZIMIN Foundation, and ISF grants. These awards highlight the importance and innovation of his work in plant science. His lab actively advises graduate students who contribute significantly to publications, and maintains strong international collaborations. The research has important implications for understanding fundamental plant biology and potentially improving crop resilience through manipulation of hormone transport and stress response mechanisms.

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Mariia BogachevaView profile

Researcher

University of HelsinkiFinland

Mariia Bogacheva is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Virology, University of Helsinki. Her work focuses on tissue engineering for drug research, particularly in antiviral development and SARS-CoV-2 studies. She is affiliated with European Commission-funded projects such as REFINE and EU4Health, and has participated in collaborative initiatives like iCOIN and Stem cell-derived liver research. Projects: REFINE (2025-2028), EU4Health (2023-2027), iCOIN (2021-2022), Stem cell-derived liver (2015-2016) Collaborations: Involved with European Commission programs, working alongside researchers like Olli Vapalahti and Yan-Ru Lou. Her research spans virology, antiviral drug development, and stem cell applications in liver organoids. She has presented at conferences such as Virology Days and 10th European Meeting on Viral Zoonoses. Key scientific awards include the CIMO Fellowship (2015-2016).

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Biswajyoti SahuView profile

Research Fellow

University of HelsinkiFinland

Biswajyoti Sahu is an Academy Research Fellow and Docent at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Doctoral Programme in Integrative Life Science and the Applied Tumor Genomics (ATG) group at Medicum. He previously served as a Visiting Scientist at the University of Cambridge (2018–2019) and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research (2015). Biomedical Sciences Cancer Biology Transcriptional Regulation Epigenetics His research focuses on oncogenes, transcription factor dynamics, and epigenetic mechanisms in cancer and development. Key themes include chromatin modifier enzymes, transposable elements, and cellular reprogramming. Recent publications highlight his work on oncogene convergence pathways (2025), transposable element derepression (2025), and single-cell multiome protocols (2024). Awards include the Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Grant (2011), Endocrine Trainee Day Fellowship (2009), and multiple presentation awards.

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Rita S. MonteiroView profile

Researcher

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Rita S. Monteiro is a Researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. She is affiliated with the reNEW research center (Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine) and conducts research in the Brickman Lab led by Professor Josh Brickman. Her work addresses fundamental mechanisms in embryonic development and stem cell biology. Her research focuses on gene regulatory networks governing cell fate decisions during early embryogenesis. Key interests include enhancer landscape dynamics in organ differentiation, transcriptional heterogeneity in stem cell populations, and signaling pathway interactions (ERK, Wnt, Nodal) that drive lineage specification. She employs model systems ranging from human pluripotent stem cells to frog embryos to dissect molecular mechanisms of development. Monteiro's publications from 2019-2023 reveal emerging trends toward integrating single-cell resolution with dynamic signaling analysis, particularly in extra-embryonic tissue formation and immune responses during embryogenesis. Her work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Nature , Nature Cell Biology , and eLife , demonstrating significant contributions to understanding how chromatin organization and transcriptional noise influence developmental trajectories. As an active member of the Brickman Lab and reNEW consortium, she contributes to collaborative projects advancing stem cell medicine. Her research has garnered attention through 268+ Mendeley readers and coverage by 7+ news outlets, reflecting its relevance to regenerative medicine and developmental disorders.

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Joshua Mark BrickmanView profile

Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Joshua Mark Brickman is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen's Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. He leads the Brickman Group at reNEW (Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine), a global research center focused on stem cell medicine. His laboratory, the Brickman Lab, is located at Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 København N, Denmark. Professor Brickman earned his B.A. in Chemistry & Philosophy from the University of Vermont in 1985, followed by a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Harvard University in 1996. After completing his doctoral studies focusing on transcription, he pursued post-doctoral training in developmental biology, working with early mouse development and embryonic stem cells as models for understanding developmental processes. Brickman's research focuses on understanding how transcription factors regulate cell fate choice in embryonic stem cells and early embryos. His group investigates transcriptional priming and commitment in stem cells, particularly in the specification of the endoderm lineage. They aim to understand how these priming events relate to stem and progenitor cell potency. The Brickman Group explores three main research themes: the molecular biology of enhancer function, transcription factors and metabolic influence in stem cell competence, and transcriptional regulation in the endoderm lineage. Their work has led to significant innovations including the development of human hypoblast stem cells, drugs for improved organ differentiation, and new approaches to IVF culture. Professor Brickman's laboratory has received funding from prestigious sources including the European Research Council, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond, Lundbeck Foundation, and the BRIDGE - Translational Excellence Program. His research on FGF/ERK signaling has proposed a new paradigm for understanding transcription factor function as enablers of signaling response rather than determinants of transcription itself. The Brickman Group consists of a diverse team of approximately 28 researchers including postdocs, PhD students, research assistants, and visiting scientists. Current members include Assistant Professor Molly Lowndes, Researcher Rita S. Monteiro, Postdocs Joji Marie Yap Teves and S M Nazmus Salehin, Master Students Hanna Kreilgaard McNamara and Sarah Sølling Brendstrup, and several others working collaboratively on various aspects of stem cell biology and developmental regulation.

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Christian SchröterView profile

Researcher

Max Planck Institute of Molecular PhysiologyGermany

Christian Schröter is a Research Group Leader in the Department of Systemic Cell Biology at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany. His work focuses on understanding the regulatory mechanisms that orchestrate cell differentiation during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Using embryonic stem cells as a model system, Schröter investigates how cell-cell communication drives the specialization of cells into specific lineages. Dr. Schröter completed his education with a Diploma in Biology from the University of Heidelberg (2005) and a PhD in Biology from the Technical University Dresden (2010), conducted at the MPI for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. His academic journey includes postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge (2011-2016) and visiting positions at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Schröter's research centers on how signaling molecules like FGF, BMP, Nodal, and Wnt control cell fate decisions. His lab combines experimental approaches including genetic methods, high-throughput sequencing, live-cell microscopy with mathematical modeling to understand how cells translate extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Key discoveries include the identification of intermittent ERK oscillations as a mechanism for encoding FGF signaling information and the demonstration that cell-cell communication via FGF4 establishes robust proportions of differentiated cell types in populations. Analysis of Schröter's publications reveals a consistent focus on quantitative approaches to developmental biology, with increasing integration of mathematical modeling with experimental data. His work spans from single-cell signaling dynamics to population-level coordination of cell differentiation, with recent studies exploring how embryonic stem cells self-organize into embryo-like structures. Newton Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015) Marie-Curie Intra-European Fellowship (2013) EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (2011) EMBO Short-Term Fellowship (2010) Schröter leads a research team investigating how cell-cell communication systems orchestrate differentiation events during early mammalian embryogenesis. His lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining genetic perturbations, live imaging, and quantitative analysis to build predictive mathematical models of cell signaling and differentiation. Current projects focus on quantitative encoding of extracellular signals, communication-based mechanisms for collective cell differentiation, and the self-organization of embryonic stem cell assemblies. The Schröter lab maintains a collaborative environment with members including Fiorella Fabris, Max Fernkorn, Julia Schröder, and PhD student Sina Schumacher. Their research benefits from partnerships with theoretical groups and utilizes advanced techniques such as live reporter systems, single-cell sequencing, and mathematical modeling to unravel the complex dynamics of cellular decision-making during development.

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Tonni Grube AndersenView profile

Researcher

Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding ResearchGermany

Tonni Grube Andersen is a Max Planck Research Group Leader at the Department of Plant Microbe Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany. His research focuses on understanding how plant roots communicate with their physical and biological environments at the single-cell level, with particular emphasis on specialized structures like passage cells that serve as communication hubs between roots and their surroundings. Dr. Andersen completed his PhD at the University of Copenhagen in the DynaMo centre of excellence under supervision of Prof. Meike Burow and Prof. Barbara Ann Halkier, followed by postdoctoral research in the lab of Prof. Niko Geldner in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 2019, he established his independent research group at MPIPZ through funding from the Max Planck Society and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's prestigious Sofja Kovalavskaja programme. His research program investigates root development and communication mechanisms using advanced techniques including genomics, state-of-the-art fluorescence-based microscopy, near-native physiological setups with precise nutrient and light control, microfluidics, and transcript- and translatomics. His group primarily works with Arabidopsis thaliana and Lotus japonicus as model systems to understand how plants optimize their growth through specialized root structures and communication pathways. Dr. Andersen's work has revealed important insights into how plants establish root barriers, how passage cells function as communication hubs, and how nutrient availability influences root development and plant-microbe interactions. His publications in high-impact journals like Nature and Current Biology demonstrate significant contributions to understanding plant-environment communication at cellular resolution. Sofja Kovalavskaja programme award (Alexander von Humboldt foundation) Dr. Andersen currently supervises multiple postdocs and PhD students working on various aspects of root development, barrier formation, and plant-microbe communication. His group is part of the CEPLAS (Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences) graduate school and collaborates with several research groups both within and outside the Max Planck Society. The Andersen group maintains specialized facilities including advanced microscopy platforms, plant growth chambers with precise environmental control, and molecular biology laboratories for comprehensive plant research.

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Mary KinkelView profile

Associate Professor

Appalachian State UniversityUnited States

Mary Kinkel is an Associate Professor of Developmental Biology in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University. Her research focuses on vertebrate developmental biology, particularly the patterning of the endodermal germ layer and pancreas development using zebrafish models. Education: PhD, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, OH MA, Biological Anthropology, Kent State University, OH BA, Anthropology, University of South Florida Dr. Kinkel's research centers on understanding how pancreas cell types are specified, how organ size is determined, and how the pancreas is correctly localized within the embryo. Her work particularly focuses on pancreatic beta cells, which synthesize and secrete insulin and play a critical role in blood sugar control. She employs zebrafish as a model organism, utilizing genetic tools including transgenic and mutant fish lines. Her research has significant implications for understanding diabetes, as beta cell failure is the ultimate cause of all types of diabetes. Analysis of her publication history reveals a clear research trajectory from anthropological studies in the early 1990s to specialized developmental biology with a focus on pancreatic development and beta cell formation. Her most recent work (2017-2019) continues to build on her expertise in zebrafish models for pancreatic disease and larval rearing methods, demonstrating sustained research activity in her field. Dr. Kinkel's laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of endoderm patterning, with particular emphasis on retinoic acid signaling, Cyp26 enzymes, and Cdx4 factors in determining pancreatic field size and localization. Her research integrates multiple signaling pathways including canonical Wnt signaling to refine models of endoderm development. Her professional experience includes positions as Associate Scientist/Assistant Professor at Sanford Research Center/University of South Dakota and Research Associate (Assistant Professor) at The University of Chicago, following postdoctoral training at the same institution.

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Christine ByrumView profile

Associate Professor

College of CharlestonUnited States

Christine Byrum is an Associate Professor at the College of Charleston, with her office and laboratory situated in the Rita Hollings Science Center. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin M.S. from Clemson University B.S. from the College of William and Mary Dr. Byrum's research program has two main thrusts. First, she studies cell fate specification in sea urchins, focusing on Wnt signaling in endomesoderm development and the role of nuclear transport proteins in regulating transcription factor access. Second, she leads the college's participation in the HHMI SEA-PHAGES program, where undergraduate students discover and genomically characterize bacteriophages. Her publication record shows a recent shift toward bacteriophage genomics, with multiple papers on phage genome annotation and the educational aspects of course-based research. Earlier work centered on developmental mechanisms in sea urchins. She teaches a range of courses including Genetics, Molecular Biology Lab, Biology of Invertebrates, and Introduction to Genomics. Through the SEA-PHAGES program, she mentors numerous undergraduate researchers in phage discovery and genomics. Her laboratory (Room 132 in the Rita Hollings Science Center) supports both sea urchin developmental biology and bacteriophage research projects.

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