​Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) exist in a spectrum of developmental sub-states with diverging potencies. Understanding how these discrete cellular states arise and subsequently transition to a differentiated state is fundamental for designing robust in vitro differentiation strategies. We are dissecting the role of OCIAD proteins in regulating mesoderm and hematopoietic development using human embryonic stem cells, with an aim to identify mechanisms governing early fate decisions made by pluripotent stem cells.

 

We are also generating fluorescent reporter PSC lines to help understand the dynamic gene expression changes during differentiation.