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Ayşegül DoğanView profile

Associate Professor

• Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• +5 more

Dr. Ayşegül Doğan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering at Yeditepe University's Faculty of Engineering, with promotion to full Professor scheduled for 2025. Her academic journey began with dual undergraduate degrees in Biology and Molecular Biology and Genetics at Istanbul University, followed by Master's and PhD studies in Biotechnology at Yeditepe University. Her educational background includes: PhD in Biotechnology (2011-2015), Yeditepe University - Thesis: "A novel chemotherapeutic drug combination for prostate cancer" Master's in Biotechnology (2009-2011), Yeditepe University - Thesis: "Effect of P85, F68 and F127 pluronic block copolymers on osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human tooth germ stem cells (HTGSCs)" Undergraduate degrees in Biology and Molecular Biology and Genetics (2005-2009), Istanbul University Dr. Doğan's research spans multiple frontiers of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Her work particularly focuses on: Stem cell differentiation mechanisms and signaling pathways Organoid development for regenerative medicine applications Boron compounds in wound healing and tissue regeneration Cancer treatment using novel drug combinations Stem cell applications in reproductive medicine and endocrinology Analysis of her recent publications reveals an increasing emphasis on stem cell-derived organoids, with particular expertise in parathyroid function, adipose tissue engineering, and neural differentiation. Her research demonstrates sophisticated approaches to creating functional tissue models from pluripotent stem cells, with strong translational potential. Her scientific recognition includes: Multiple patents related to stem cell technology and wound healing formulations Patent Bronze Medal from ISIF and Turkish Patent Institute TÜBA-GEBİP award from the Turkish Academy of Sciences Department and Faculty First Prizes from Istanbul University Dr. Doğan actively mentors graduate students, with seven Master's and PhD theses completed under her supervision in recent years. She serves as principal investigator for multiple research projects funded by TÜBİTAK and other institutions, with current work focusing on stem cell applications in regenerative medicine. Her laboratory develops novel stem cell-based therapies and tissue engineering approaches, with particular emphasis on neuromesodermal progenitors and their therapeutic applications. She maintains active membership in professional organizations including the London Stem Cell Network, AACR, and the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR).

David LongView profile

Professor

• Paediatric Nephrology
• Kidney Development and Disease
• Lymphatic Vessels in Kidneys
• +10 more

David Long is Professor of Paediatric Nephrology at University College London's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOSICH). He serves as Head of the Developmental Biology and Cancer Department, co-leads the UCL Centre of Kidney and Bladder Health, and acts as Deputy Theme Lead of the Gene, Cell and Stem Theme at the Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre. With over 80 publications cited more than 6,000 times and an H-index of 42, his research focuses on understanding kidney disease mechanisms to develop novel therapies for patients. David Long earned his Doctor of Philosophy from University College London in 2003 and his Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Southampton in 1999. His initial research experience was gained in the Nephro-Urology Unit at GOSICH under Professor Adrian Woolf as an MRC-funded PhD student. Professor Long's research mission centers on understanding mechanisms underlying kidney disease in children and adults to translate findings for patient benefit. His laboratory combines experimental models of kidney disease using zebrafish, transgenic mice, and patient samples with innovative technologies including three-dimensional imaging, mathematical modeling, gene editing, stem cell technology, and novel therapeutic approaches. His work is particularly important given the UK has 70,000 patients with end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis or transplantation, with an annual cost of the UK ESKD programme conservatively estimated at £1 billion. Analysis of Professor Long's recent publications reveals a strong focus on kidney lymphatic vessels, polycystic kidney disease, and glomerular pathology. His work increasingly utilizes advanced technologies like single-cell transcriptomics, three-dimensional imaging, and microfluidic organ-on-chip platforms. A significant theme is the investigation of lymphatic vessel function in kidney health and disease, particularly in polycystic kidney disease and transplant rejection. His research also explores novel therapeutic approaches including vincristine for podocyte damage and cardiotrophin-1 for glomerular disease, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of his work bridging basic science with clinical applications. Wellcome Trust Investigator Award (2020-2025) Medical Research Council New Investigator Award (2012) Kidney Research UK Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship (2008-2014) UCL Bogue Research Fellowship MRC-funded PhD Professor Long has supervised seventeen PhD students (ten as primary supervisor) and managed eleven postdoctoral fellows, three research assistants, and a Wellcome Trust MD/PhD clinical fellow. His research group has expanded to over fifteen members, making him one of the few non-clinical scientists leading a renal group in the UK. His funding includes grants from the MRC, Kidney Research UK, Diabetes UK, Kids Kidney Research, and the GOSICH Children's Charity. He has also been a member of the Kidney Research UK Research Grants Committee (2014-22) and currently serves as an academic editor for PLoS One and on the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology editorial board. Professor Long leads the Kidney Development and Disease Group (KDD) at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, a team of clinicians and scientists with the ultimate aim to develop new therapies for patients with kidney disease. He also co-established and co-leads the UCL Centre of Kidney and Bladder Health. His laboratory has grown to over fifteen members, focusing on innovative approaches to understand and treat kidney diseases, with current work supported by a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award examining how lymphatic vessels grow, work, and communicate with other cells in growing or diseased organs.

Trevor J. McGillView profile

Assistant Professor

• Retinal Degenerative Diseases
• Gene Therapy
• Stem Cell Therapy
• +3 more

Dr. Trevor J. McGill is a Research Assistant Professor at the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), School of Medicine. His research focuses on developing cell-based and gene therapies for retinal degenerative diseases using rodent and nonhuman primate models. His educational background includes: B.S. in 2002 from The University of Lethbridge MSc in 2004 from The University of Lethbridge Ph.D. in 2008 from The University of Lethbridge Dr. McGill's primary research interests include Retinitis Pigmentosa and Age-related Macular Degeneration. His lab employs both rodent and nonhuman primate models to translate cell-based and gene therapies into clinical trials for retinal degenerative diseases. His work spans gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and the development of preclinical models for diabetic retinopathy and other retinal conditions. Analysis of Dr. McGill's recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a strong focus on translational ophthalmology, particularly in stem cell and gene therapy for retinal degeneration. Key trends include the use of nonhuman primate models, development of gene augmentation therapies (e.g., for CNGB1-retinitis pigmentosa), and investigation of diabetic retinopathy mechanisms. His work also extends to immunology in transplantation and mitochondrial genetics. Dr. McGill leads a research laboratory at the Casey Eye Institute that utilizes advanced models of retinal degeneration. His team collaborates extensively with other researchers at OHSU and beyond, as evidenced by multi-institutional publications.

Angela StathopoulosView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Systems Biology
• +3 more

Angela Stathopoulos is a Professor in the Division of Biology & Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she has led her research laboratory for 18 years. She also serves as the Director of the Center for Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, a position she has held since 2024. Her educational background includes: B.A. from the University of California (1992) Ph.D. from Stanford University (1998), where she studied calcium signaling and calcineurin phosphatase regulated gene expression under Martha Cyert Postdoctoral training at UC Berkeley in Mike Levine's laboratory, using Drosophila as a model system to study transcriptional regulation Dr. Stathopoulos employs a systems-level approach to study embryonic development, integrating cis-regulatory and cell biological data with quantitative measures. Her research focuses on how transcription factors and signaling pathways influence cells to regulate changes in cell shape and form during development. She has made significant contributions to understanding transcriptional regulation, embryonic patterning, and collective cell migration, particularly with the identification of the caudal visceral mesoderm (CVM) as a new collective cell migration model system. Her lab recently incorporated optogenetic approaches to study the dynamic action of transcription factors. The collective body of her recent publications demonstrates a strong focus on developmental mechanisms in Drosophila , with particular emphasis on transcriptional regulation, enhancer function, and cell migration. Her work spans multiple techniques including genetics, biochemistry, live in vivo imaging, and quantitative analysis, reflecting her systems biology approach to developmental questions. Dr. Stathopoulos leads the Stathopoulos Lab at Caltech, which maintains active research programs in embryonic gene expression, enhancer action, fibroblast growth factors, and cell migration. The lab website indicates ongoing investigations into the timing of embryonic gene expression, coordinate action of enhancers, individual functions of fibroblast growth factors, and collective cell migration mechanisms.

Lay Teng AngView profile

Assistant Professor

• Stem Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• +4 more

Lay Teng Ang is an Assistant Professor of Urology at Stanford University, with concurrent appointments at the Bio-X , Cardiovascular Institute , and Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine . His research focuses on stem cell differentiation mechanisms and their applications in vascular biology, hematopoiesis, and neuroinflammation. Doctoral training at University of Cambridge and A*STAR Professional background includes Genome Institute of Singapore and Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology Research interests span pluripotent stem cell lineage specification , endothelial cell heterogeneity , and therapeutic targeting of EPAS1/ACKR1 pathways . His work has produced protocols for generating highly pure hematopoietic progenitors and organ-specific endothelial cells . Key publications include: 2025: Venous dysfunction in vascular dementia (Nature Communications) 2024: Hematopoietic stem cell lineage tracing (Developmental Cell) 2023: Germ cell specification mechanisms (Nature Communications) 2022: Meningococcal disease susceptibility via CFHR3 variation (AJHG) Awards include Catalyst to Independence and Siebel Investigatorship grants, with affiliations spanning the American Heart Association and Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute .

• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Embryology
• +9 more

Masaki Shirayama is an Assistant Professor at the UMass Chan Medical School , affiliated with the RNA Therapeutics Institute under the T.H. Chan School of Medicine . His research focuses on Cell Biology , Molecular Biology , and Developmental Biology , with a specialization in C. elegans genetics and RNA regulatory mechanisms. Education : PhD in Biology from the University of Tokyo , Japan. Shirayama's work explores the roles of Argonaute proteins , piRNAs , and epigenetic signals in germline gene expression and RNA interference . He investigates asymmetric cell division , chromosome segregation , and Wnt signaling pathways using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. His publications (15 most recent) highlight themes in RNA regulation , epigenetic inheritance , germline genome surveillance , and developmental gene networks . Key subfields include piRNA function , Argonaute pathways , cytokinesis , cell polarity , and RNA-binding protein interactions . Shirayama collaborates with researchers such as Craig Mello , Darryl Conte , and Zhiping Weng within the RNA Therapeutics Institute. His work spans genetics , embryology , and molecular mechanisms of gene regulation.

Nicole PriorView profile

Lecturer

• Stem Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Liver Regeneration
• +4 more

Dr. Nicole Prior is a Lecturer in Stem Cell Biology at the University of Southampton's Department of Biological Sciences. She serves as Principal Investigator for liver development and regeneration research using 3D organoid systems. Her work spans three key research groups: the Precision Biosciences Innovation Hub, Cell and Developmental Biology, and the Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration. Her research focuses on: Genomic and metabolic networks in liver progenitor differentiation 3D organoid culture systems for developmental modeling Metabolic signaling in embryonic and adult liver homeostasis Translational applications for liver disease therapies Current projects include: Chemically defined biomimetic hydrogels for organoid cultures Metabolic regulation of hepatocyte differentiation Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression analysis Molecular phenotyping using multi-parameter flow cytometry

Frank SchubertView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• +6 more

Dr. Frank Schubert is an academic at the University of Portsmouth, serving as Associate Head (Research and Innovation) and PhD Supervisor in the School of Biological Sciences under the Faculty of Science and Health. He holds affiliations with the Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare , Institute of the Earth and Environment , and Centre of Excellence for Heritage Innovation . Education: Dr. Schubert studied Biology at the Universities of Kiel and Heidelberg, graduating in 1989. He earned his PhD at the Max-Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry (1989–1994) under Prof. Peter Gruss, focusing on Hox cluster evolution. Research Interests: His primary research explores gene regulatory networks controlling neurogenesis and cell fate in early brain development, axon guidance of pioneer tracts, and brain vascularization. He also investigates evolutionary mechanisms through phylogenetic reconstruction and ancient DNA analysis of museum samples. His chicken embryo model aids in studying pediatric brain tumors. Publication Trends: His work spans developmental neurobiology, evolutionary genetics, and biomedical applications, with recent studies on axon scaffold conservation (2025), avian models (2024), and skeletal muscle dynamics (2023). Keywords like Developmental Biology Neurobiology Evolutionary Genetics Biomedical Research dominate his contributions. Teaching: He lectures on modules such as Biodiversity and Evolution, Genetics, Cell Biology, and Bioinformatics, emphasizing developmental and evolutionary themes. Collaborations: Dr. Schubert partners with Dr. Susanne Dietrich, Dr. Garry Scarlett, and Dr. Sam Robson on projects involving axon guidance, ancient DNA, and biomedical models.

Simon MoxonView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Gene Regulation
• Next-Generation Sequencing
• +3 more

Simon Moxon is an Associate Professor in Bioinformatics at the University of East Anglia (UEA), part of the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on applying next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to study biological problems, particularly small RNA bioinformatics and mechanisms of gene regulation at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. He has developed tools like miRCat2 and the UEA sRNA Workbench for miRNA detection and analysis. Notable collaborations include projects funded by the British Heart Foundation, NIH, and the Natural Environment Research Council, exploring topics such as chromatin landscapes, microRNA biogenesis, and epigenetic reprogramming. His work spans plant genomics, developmental biology, and molecular mechanisms in diseases like cancer. Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding miRNA regulation in plants and animals, epigenetic marks during zygotic reprogramming, and antimicrobial resistance in Bacillus species. Moxon actively mentors PhD students and contributes to editorial roles in journals like Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Phylogenetics
• +3 more

Prof. Manuela Schmidt is a faculty member at the University of Vienna, affiliated with the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Her research focuses on modern systems biology pain research and biomedical applications, primarily conducted in her laboratory. She supervises Master's theses with limited availability, requiring applications between January 1–31, 2025, and coordinates both experimental and literature-based thesis opportunities. Her work spans bioinformatics, computational biology, and phylogenetics, with significant contributions to maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods and software development (e.g., IQ-TREE). Research trends include evolutionary biology, molecular biology, and applications of machine learning in phylogenetic analysis. Additional interests involve environmental microbiology and developmental genetics. For contact, email manuela_schmidt@univie.ac.at. Her lab is located at UZA II, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, A-1090 Vienna, Austria (phone: +43-1-4277-55301).

• Virology
• RNA Biology
• MicroRNA Research
• +5 more

Nicolas Julien Fossat serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His research spans virology, RNA biology, and developmental biology with a particular focus on viral-host interactions and molecular mechanisms of disease. His research interests primarily focus on RNA biology and virology, with significant contributions to understanding viral RNA modifications, microRNA interactions in viral infections, and the molecular mechanisms of viral replication. His work on Hepatitis C virus RNA capping with flavin adenine dinucleotide represents a major discovery in the field of virology. Additionally, his research extends to developmental biology, particularly in understanding transcription factor networks like TWIST1 in cell differentiation processes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on RNA-virus interactions, particularly with flaviviruses including Hepatitis C, yellow fever, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses. His work on SARS-CoV-2 microRNA interactomes during the pandemic demonstrates his ability to pivot research toward emerging health threats. His publications in high-impact journals including Nature, Nature Communications, and Cell Reports highlight the significance of his contributions to the field. Fossat has established productive collaborations with prominent researchers including Bukh, Scheel, and Ramirez, resulting in multiple high-impact publications. His work has received substantial attention, with several papers being highlighted in news outlets and social media platforms, indicating the broader impact of his research.

David Jonah GrunwaldView profile

Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Stem Cell Biology
• +5 more

David Jonah Grunwald, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Utah School of Medicine. His laboratory conducts research using zebrafish, mice, and human models to investigate fundamental mechanisms of tissue development, maintenance, and disease. With a career spanning several decades, Dr. Grunwald has established himself as a leading researcher in developmental genetics and genome editing techniques. Dr. Grunwald's research focuses on four primary themes: (1) molecular and genetic pathways regulating stem cell maintenance and differentiation, particularly examining how promoter proximal transcription pausing maintains multipotent precursor cells; (2) regulation of intracellular calcium mobilization in tissue development; (3) optimization of genome modification strategies in zebrafish to advance gene function studies; and (4) identification of pathways essential for joint homeostasis whose perturbation leads to osteoarthritis. His work bridges basic developmental mechanisms with translational applications in human disease. Analysis of Dr. Grunwald's recent publications reveals an evolving research trajectory from foundational zebrafish developmental studies to sophisticated genome editing techniques and disease mechanism investigations. His work demonstrates consistent focus on transcriptional regulation, calcium signaling, and stem cell biology, with increasing emphasis on osteoarthritis mechanisms in recent years. The publications show strong collaboration networks, particularly with Kazuyuki Hoshijima and Michael Jurynec, and demonstrate methodological progression from traditional mutagenesis to CRISPR-based approaches. Dr. Grunwald maintains an active research laboratory with multiple ongoing projects. His team includes senior research associates, undergraduate students, and likely graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, though specific trainee names aren't listed in the provided text. The laboratory appears well-supported by research grants enabling continued investigation into developmental mechanisms and disease models. The laboratory environment focuses on zebrafish as a primary model organism, with complementary work in mouse and human systems. Dr. Grunwald's team employs advanced techniques including CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, calcium imaging, and molecular analysis of developmental pathways. The research has significant implications for understanding stem cell biology, tissue development, and osteoarthritis pathogenesis.

• Evolutionary Developmental Biology
• Vertebrate Mesoderm Development
• Embryology
• +1 more

Ann C. Burke is an academic specializing in Evolutionary Developmental Biology with research focused on vertebrate mesoderm development and embryogenesis. Her work bridges evolutionary theory and developmental mechanisms. Research Interests: Evolutionary developmental mechanisms in vertebrates Mesoderm formation and patterning across species Integration of embryological data with evolutionary theory Publications Trend: Her 2020 work demonstrates specialization in vertebrate mesoderm evolution, emphasizing comparative approaches to understanding developmental constraints and innovations in body plan formation. Academic Service: Contributed to the reference work Evolutionary Developmental Biology - A Reference Guide (Springer, 2020) as chapter author.

Li-Fang ChuView profile

Assistant Professor

• Developmental Biology
• Cellular Reprogramming
• Stem Cell Research
• +6 more

Dr. Li-Fang Chu serves as an Assistant Professor (Teaching & Research) in the Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He holds a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Cellular Reprogramming and maintains significant affiliations with the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) as a Child Health & Wellness Researcher and with the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health as an Associate Member. Dr. Chu leads the Reproduction and Regenerative Medicine Research Group and directs the Chu Lab, which focuses on fundamental questions in developmental biology. Dr. Chu received his BSc from National Taiwan University followed by a PhD in cell and molecular biology from Baylor College of Medicine. He completed postdoctoral training with Dr. James Thomson at the Morgridge Institute for Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he developed expertise in stem cell biology and developmental timing. He joined the University of Calgary in August 2020. Dr. Chu's research program centers on understanding the principles governing temporal and spatial patterning in development and disease. His lab is particularly interested in the developmental clock - investigating why different species have vastly different gestation periods and how genes regulate the tempo of embryonic development. The Chu Lab developed an in vitro segmentation clock model derived from human embryonic stem cells, which recapitulates species-specific gene oscillatory periodicity. This innovative system allows researchers to study how the developmental clock operates and how its misregulation causes congenital vertebral malformations. Analysis of Dr. Chu's publication record reveals a consistent focus on developmental timing mechanisms, cellular reprogramming, and stem cell-based disease modeling. His work bridges fundamental developmental biology with potential clinical applications in regenerative medicine. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in methodology, incorporating advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics, real-time live-cell imaging, and 3D organoid systems to address complex questions in developmental biology. Dr. Chu's scientific recognition includes: Tier II Canada Research Chair in Cellular Reprogramming (CIHR, 2021) Dr. Chu teaches several courses including VETM 422 Virology, VETM 702 Advanced Topics in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, VETM 324 Genetics and Molecular Biology, and MDSC 609.02 Genes and Development. His research has attracted significant attention, with multiple news features highlighting his work on pig-human genetic relationships, pig retinal cells for eye treatments, reindeer antlers and human limb regeneration, and the observation of the human developmental clock. The Chu Lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining pluripotent stem cell culture, differentiation, organoids, cellular reprogramming, gene editing, real-time live-cell imaging, luminescence imaging, lineage-tracing, mouse genetics, flow cytometry, and single-cell and bulk RNA-seq. The lab's long-term goals include understanding fundamental mechanisms regulating developmental timing, identifying genetic factors controlling developmental clocks across species, and pursuing novel therapeutic strategies for disorders caused by misregulation of developmental clocks.

Hong S. LuView profile

Associate Professor

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Atherosclerosis
• Aortic Aneurysms
• +4 more

Hong S. Lu, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky , affiliated with the Department of Physiology and the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center . His work focuses on cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms , with an emphasis on renin-angiotensin system mechanisms and genomic editing strategies. He collaborates with institutions including Baylor College of Medicine and University of Maryland . Doctor of Philosophy, Kanazawa University (2003) Doctor of Medicine, Zhejiang University (1993) His research explores pharmacological inhibition of angiotensinogen, Lipoprotein regulation , and vascular biology of receptors like LRP1 and PAI-1. Current projects include studying Etv5-mediated elastic fiber generation in aortic dissection and myeloid thrombospondin-1 roles in ECM suppression. Recent grants supported by the American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute address cardiovascular system heterogeneity and myocardial infarction models. Awards include ATVB Top Reviewer (2014, 2016) and New Investigator Travel Awards (2004, 2006). His 160+ research outputs since 2004 span topics like mouse models of coronary atherosclerosis, metformin effects on aneurysms, and complement component 4 suppression in liver steatosis. Collaborations with Dr. Alan Daugherty and others drive innovations in vascular pathology and cardiometabolic disease research.