Francis Lynn

Francis C. Lynn is a Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Department of Surgery and School of Biomedical Engineering. His research focuses on pancreatic β-cell biology, diabetes pathogenesis, and regenerative therapies using human pluripotent stem cells.

• Key affiliations: UBC, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, BC Diabetes Research Network
• Research emphasis: Gene regulatory networks in β-cell differentiation, CRISPR/Cas applications, and cell-based diabetes treatments.

Recent research trends include stem cell-derived β-cell engineering, single-cell transcriptomics for lineage tracking, and strategies to enhance islet transplantation via immunomodulation (e.g., CCL22-expressing grafts). Publications in 2024–2025 highlight environmental toxin impacts (Dechlorane Plus), MED15’s role in β-cell maturation, and AHR-HIF1α pathway interactions in diabetes.

Students include PhD candidate Alexander Garner, who explored pancreatic islet architecture. The Lynn Lab (lynnlab.ubc.ca) employs murine and human stem cell models to dissect β-cell failure mechanisms and regeneration pathways.