RESEARCH
Our research focuses on the biology of healthy and malignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), with an emphasis on the mechanisms that govern their fate decisions.
We investigate how intrinsic regulators, such as transcription factor networks and epigenetic programs, interact with extrinsic microenvironmental cues to control key properties of HSPCs, such as self-renewal and differentiation.
By defining how these processes are disrupted in leukemia, we aim to uncover key drivers of malignant transformation and therapy resistance. Ultimately, our goal is to identify actionable vulnerabilities that can be targeted to eliminate malignant HSPCs while preserving normal tissue.
STEM CELLS
Stem cells have the unique property to generate stem cells (self-renewal) and all the other cells with specialized functions (differentiation) in a specific tissue.​
MICROENVIRONMENT
The microenvironment (ME) also called 'niche' is defined by the cells, molecules and structures (including blood vessels) that surround and support other cells and tissues.
HEMATOPOIESIS
Hematopoiesis is the tightly regulated process that generate all mature blood and immune cell types throughout life.
Our research focuses on the biology of healthy and malignant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), with an emphasis on the mechanisms that govern their fate decisions.
We investigate how intrinsic regulators, such as transcription factor networks and epigenetic programs, interact with extrinsic microenvironmental cues to control key properties of HSPCs, such as self-renewal and differentiation.
HSPCs are rare and immature cells that sustain lifelong blood and immune cell production through their capacity for self-renewal and multipotency. In the healthy context, they generate the full spectrum of blood and immune lineages via tightly regulated fate decisions. These processes are governed by the integration of intrinsic regulatory programs, including transcription factor networks, with extrinsic signals from specialized niche microenvironments.​
HSPCs are regulated by specialized microenvironments called 'niche' that provide essential extrinsic cues. These niches dynamically adapt across development, aging, and in response to stress to maintain balanced hematopoiesis. Reciprocal interactions between HSCPs and their niches ensure proper self-renewal and differentiation under both steady-state and regenerative conditions.
HSPCs
NICHE
LEUKEMIA
By defining how the processes maintaining homeostasis are disrupted in leukemia, we aim to uncover key drivers of malignant transformation and therapy resistance. Ultimately, our goal is to identify actionable vulnerabilities that can be targeted to eliminate this disease while preserving normal tissue.
CANCER STEM CELLS
​​​Cancer stem cells (CSCs) share the same cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate healthy stem cells but lack the control systems that maintain homeostasis and prevent uncontrolled proliferation.
Given that CSCs have the capacity of regenerating cancer, they are responsible for driving disease progression and relapse.
TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT
CSCs generate and activate their own tumor microenvironment (TME), by recruiting surrounding cells to work for CSCs' own benefit. The dynamic interaction of CSCs with the TME is essential to stimulate cancer regeneration, propagation, and therapy-resistance, thereby promoting disease progression and relapse.