Summary

Our laboratory is studying the mechanisms controlling somatic cell reprogramming and tissue regeneration. In particular, we are studying how the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway controls these processes, and how cell-fusion-mediated cellular reprogramming contributes to tissue regeneration and homeostasis. We tackle these questions with different approaches and through different disciplines, which range from the nanoscale level of observation of cell functions, up to the whole mouse organ, such as in the retina, brain and liver. In particular, one important research line that recently started in our laboratory is about studying the changes in chromatin structure and organisation at nanoscale resolution during somatic cell reprogramming and differentiation, to determine how chromatin fibers can be rearranged to overcome epigenetic barriers to gain pluripotency.

Figure 1
Figure 1

Research projects

  • Dissecting out how Wnt signalling controls somatic cell reprogramming.
  • Decoding chromatin and DNA structure in cells undergoing reprogramming and differentiation, using super-resolution microscopy.
  • Cell-fusion-mediated somatic cell reprogramming controlled by Wnt activity as a mechanism of neuron regeneration.