Investigating the gene regulatory network that drives the cellular development of the trachea

Tissue Formation and Morphogenesis

My project focuses on studying the cellular and genetic drivers of tracheal and esophageal morphogenesis. All cells undergo processes of differentiation and specification that allow them to form complex tissues and structures. But how do cells “know” what type of cell to become, where to migrate within the body, and how to organize into functional structures?

By studying the cellular, genetic, and biomechanical forces that guide tissue formation, researchers can better understand how organs develop and what happens when these processes go wrong. This work has important implications for developmental biology, congenital disorders, regenerative medicine, and stem cell-based therapies, as well as the general understanding of how our bodies develop.