We use mouse models and human cells to study signaling mechanisms and metabolic pathways that regulate regenerative function of muscle stem cells called satellite cells (PMID: 17540178; 22493066; 28094257; 33068545). Recent single cell RNA-seq studies in the lab has led to the discovery of a subset of satellite cells with immune cell properties (PMID: 32248062; News Release ). Ongoing studies aim to dissect the origin and function of these immunomyoblasts (i.e. immune gene-expressing myoblasts). Additional interests of the lab are to understand the role of lipid droplets and fatty acid metabolism in satellite cell biology (PMID: 35045287; 37063787; 37334900; 37883229).
Following our discovery of the common origin of brown fat and skeletal muscle (PMID: 18719582), we have been exploring the lineage origin, cell fate regulation and function of various fat cells (PMID: 22037676; 23047894; 23740968; 23781029). Ongoing studies combine our discovery with biomaterial approach to promote browning of white adipocytes to combat obesity and type 2 diabetes (PMID: 28624262; 31668904). Additional research aims to identify novel molecular regulators of adipocyte biology (PMID: 25038826; 33304767; 34669999; 35362877; 37816711).
We are the first group to report a key role of Notch signaling activation in tumorigenesis of adipocytes, resulting in dedifferentiated liposarcoma (PMID: 27573812), the result is confirmed by others in mice and humans (PMID: 29515034; 36464833). Current efforts in the lab focus on how Notch signaling regulates cancer stem cell status and metabolism in liposarcoma and other sarcomas (PMID: 25805408; 32866607; 37433985).