Development and stem cells
Common Mechanisms of Development, Cancer and Aging
Cellular senescence is a form of cell cycle arrest that acts a potent tumor suppressive mechanism. In addition, it can also contribute to organismal aging and stem cell decline. However, there are aspects to senescence, such as the secretion by senescent cells of growth factors, cytokines and extracellular remodeling factors (the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, or “SASP”) that suggested more complex functions for the senescent state. While investigating possible non-classical functions for senescence, we discovered cellular senescence as a normal programmed process during embryonic development. Interestingly, senescence in the embryo is mediated by the expression of p21, exhibits features of the SASP, and instructs local tissue patterning and remodeling. Subsequently, the senescent cells are removed by apoptosis and macrophage-mediated clearance. This discovery opens up exciting new avenues to unravel the biological importance of the senescence program, its role in embryonic development and patterning, and the correlations with its function in cancer and aging.
Our lab is interested in understanding the biological role and molecular mechanisms regulating cellular senescence in different contexts, including during normal embryonic development, in tissue regeneration and aging, and in tumor development.
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Current projects
- Investigating the role of senescence during embryonic development and tissue regeneration
- Identifying novel mediators of stem cell aging and senescence
- Exploring the role of candidate transcription factors and chromatin modifiers in senescence, tumor development and aging
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Collaborations
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Prizes/Awards
- Bill KEYES - Education and Research Award - Fondation Schlumberger - 2018
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News
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Publications
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Genes Dev March 5, 2020 .
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Cellular senescence in development, regeneration and disease.
Development Oct. 1, 2019 ; 146: .
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Cellular senescence in development, regeneration and disease.
Development Oct. 1, 2019 ; 146: .
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Cellular senescence in development, regeneration and disease.
Development Oct. 1, 2019 ; 146: .
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Nat Commun Sept. 28, 2017 ; 8:728 .
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Retinoic acid controls early neurogenesis in the developing mouse cerebral cortex.
Dev Biol Oct. 1, 2017 ; 430:129-141 .
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Oncogene Aug 2017 ; 36:4381-4392 .
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The senescence-associated secretory phenotype induces cellular plasticity and tissue regeneration.
Genes Dev Jan. 15, 2017 ; 31:172-183 .
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Developing senescence to remodel the embryo.
Commun Integr Biol Oct. 31, 2014 ; 7:e970969 .
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New insights into skin stem cell aging and cancer.
Biochem Soc Trans Jun 2014 ; 42:663-9 .
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Job opportunities
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Alumni
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Videos
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Thesis subjects