Our Research

Our laboratory is interested in understanding how blood or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are able to self-renew and differentiate into all functional types of blood and immune cells are regulated. In homeostasis, HSCs are located within the bone marrow where they are tightly regulated by cells and factors that constitute the bone marrow microenvironment, also known as the niche. Several HSC niche regulatory cells have been identified, including both non-hematopoietic (e.g., mesenchymal stem and endothelial cells) and HSC-derived progeny (e.g., megakaryocytes). With age, HSCs suffer a decline in their regenerative capacity leading to impaired immune responses and possibly contributing to the development of bone marrow failure and hematopoietic malignancies.

Using the mouse bone marrow as a model and taking advantage of cutting-edge HSC imaging techniques our current focus is on the regulation of the stem cell microenvironment in aging and in malignancies of the hematopoietic system.

Our Mission

Our mission is to design novel rejuvenation technologies for aged HSCs and develop strategies that will improve cancer therapy and open novel opportunities in regenerative medicine.