We study planarian flatworms, which can regenerate entire animals by activation of pluripotent stem cells. Our goal is to determine how stem cells respond to injuries and restore missing organs.

Our laboratory focuses on understanding adipose tissue biology and systemic metabolism by studying adipose stem cells (ASC). We specifically examine ASC dynamics, the ASC niche, and the role of ASCs in white adipose tissue development, homeostasis, obesogenic expansion and thermogenesis.

Intestinal stem cells, host-microbe interactions, gut homeostasis, gut physiology and metabolism, innate immune response, gene regulatory networks, systems biology

Mechanobiology of embryonic development, regeneration, tissue engineering, developmental redux in aging

GERM CELL DEVELOPMENT IN MAMMALS: We focus predominantly on regulation of meiotic crossing over and on genome stability of germ cells. We also study how spermatogenic stem cells enter spermatogenesis to produce viable, euploid sperm.

We develop and utilize cellular systems bioengineering approaches to study cell communication and signaling networks regulating muscle stem cell function and tissue regeneration in aging and disease.

We work at the interface of cancer biology and immunology with a focus on understanding how cancer cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulate anti-tumor immunity and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapies in the context of breast cancers.

The Han lab aims to uncover core principles of dendrite morphogenesis and neurodegeneration using Drosophila as an in vivo model system. To achieve this goal, we develop and apply novel genetic and cell biological technologies in Drosophila.

Molecular and Cellular mechanism of neurodegeneration; Protein homeostasis; Lysosome biology; Inflammation; Cell signaling

Organ development, cell shape & architecture, angiogenesis, lymphatics, developmental genomics, chromatin looping, long-noncoding RNA, cancer

We study the conserved pathways that regulate aging and age-dependent pathologies using genetic, molecular, cell biological, and genomic approaches in C. elegan and mammalian cells.

Mechanisms of signal transduction (BMP signaling); cell fate diversification and differentiation of pluripotent progenitor cells in the mesoderm

We aim to understand how aberrations in mechanisms governing stem cell niches may lead to cancer in the female reproductive tract, prostate and stomach. Our research approaches include organoid cultures, mouse modeling, and genome modifications.

Evolution of developmental mechanisms; cis-regulatory evolution; functional genomics; animal color patterns; phenotypic plasticity

Plant cell biology, plant development, morphogenesis, growth, and patterning of Arabidopsis flowers and leaves, engineered living materials