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​ Embryogenesis and Genomic Regulation Lab

 
​Through genomics, we have gained profound insights into early embryogenesis and development, spanning from transcriptional regulation to cellular differentiation and patterning. It is evident that embryonic development operates on intricate networks, marked by dynamic interactions between transcription factors and the epigenetic states of chromatin. Our research objectives in developmental biology encompass:
 
  1. Exploring the processes by which totipotent fertilized vertebrate embryos specify cell fate, differentiate into distinct germ layers, and initiate organ primordia formation.
  2. Discovering the gene regulatory networks that orchestrate the development of extraembryonic structures in early mammalian embryos.
Research Area: Keywords
  • ​Epigenomics and Transcriptomics
  • Cell fate specifiaction
Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Vertebrate Embryology
  • Xenopus tropicalis
  • Extraembryonic endoderm
  • Synthetic mouse embryoids







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News


Pham et al., (2023) Dev Biol 502:20-37.
"Transcriptional network governing extraembryonic endoderm cell fate choice"

We investigates mammalian cell lineage at implantation. Using scRNA-seq, we identified the roles of GATA, SOX, FOX transcription factors in extraembryonic endoderm tissue development. BMP signaling plays a critical role in specifying extraembryonic endoderm development. 


Zhou et al., al., (2023) eLife, 12:e79380
"Histone deacetylase 1 maintains lineage integrity through histoneacetylome refinement during early embryogenesis"

Histone acetylation is critical in regulating the transcriptional activities of the embryonic genome.  We  report how developing embryos regulate the spatiotemporal dynamic states of histone acetylation during embryogenesis .


Jansen et al., ​Cell Rep. 38(7):110364.: 
"Uncovering the mesendoderm gene regulatory network through multi-omic data integration"

We developed a method of integrating large genomic data sets (over 150) derived from different data types and  report on building a highly-accurate mechanistic GRN.


Han  et al.,. (2022). Nat Cell Biol. 10.1038/s41556-021-00813-8
"The Hippo pathway kinases LATS1 and LATS2 attenuate cellular responses to heavy metals through phosphorylating MTF1"

Collaborative work led to the discovery of a new role of Hippo pathway in heavy metal response.
Links:
PubMed, Google Scholar, Xenbase, National Xenopus Resource, Gene Expression Charting Tools