معرفی
Zoe Burke is a faculty member and Director of Teaching in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath. Her research focuses on cellular reprogramming, transdifferentiation, liver development, and pancreatic biology, with a strong emphasis on the Wnt signaling pathway and its role in organogenesis and disease. She has published extensively on topics including hepatocyte generation, metaplasia, and stem cell biology.
Her research interests span Cellular Reprogramming, Transdifferentiation, Liver and Pancreatic Development, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and metaplastic transitions in disease. Her work bridges developmental biology and regenerative medicine, aiming to understand how cell identity can be manipulated for therapeutic applications.
Analysis of her recent publications shows a consistent focus on molecular mechanisms governing cell fate transitions, particularly in liver and pancreas. Her studies integrate in vitro and in vivo models to dissect signaling pathways such as Wnt and the role of transcription factors like Hnf4α. The work has implications for regenerative therapies, cancer development (especially Barrett’s esophagus), and drug toxicity screening using hepatocyte models.
- Scientific Contributions:
- Key role in elucidating Wnt/β-catenin in liver zonation and development
- Pioneering studies on transdifferentiation of pancreatic to hepatic cells
- Identification of Hnf4α as a driver of metaplasia
- Development of in vitro models for drug toxicity using miR-122
Dr. Burke has collaborated extensively with Prof. David Tosh and others on understanding cellular plasticity. While no formal advising list is available, her editorial and collaborative roles suggest active mentorship. Her work has been cited in patents and Wikipedia, indicating broad scientific impact. She is involved in academic leadership as Director of Teaching, contributing to curriculum development in life sciences.
