Research

Our goal is to understand how cells transduce, integrate and respond to molecular signals in order to successfully build, shape and maintain different tissues

The architecture, homeostasis and function of the organs is defined at the cellular level by the integration of a myriad of molecular signals.  In our lab, we study how stem cells, progenitor cells, and somatic cells integrate extracellular signals, as well as how the underlying cascades define cell fate. We focus on unravelling molecular mechanisms in signal transduction, specially in the context of WNT signalling, DNA replication and mitosis, which misregulation often leads to disease, notably cancer. To address these questions, we integrate cutting edge live cell imaging, single-cell genome & transcriptome sequencing, and genome editing techniques with detailed molecular analyses in mouse models, ex vivo cultured neural progenitor cells, intestinal organoids, embryonic stem cells, as well as other cell lineages.

You can learn more about our research institute here.

Figure 1: We analyse cell signalling in vivo by studying mouse models (upper left); and in vitro by using cultured somatic cells (upper middle) and cell extracts (upper right). We complement our studies with ex vivo stem cell models such as intestinal organoids (lower left); embryonic stem cells (colony; lower middle), and neural progenitor cells (neurosphere; lower right).