Allison BARDIN
Stem Cells and Tissue Homeostasis
Stem Cells and Tissue Homeostasis
KEYWORDS: Adult intestinal stem cells, Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly)
genome stability, self renewal, cell fate acquisition
genome stability, self renewal, cell fate acquisition
Precise regulation of stem cell gene expression and genomic content is necessary for correct differentiation, self-renewal, and tissue function. However, key questions remain unanswered: How is gene expression modulated in stem cells and during differentiation? How is stem cell genomic content safeguarded? Our team addresses these questions using adult Drosophila intestinal stem cells. In a first line of research, we aim to understand control of genome expression in adult stem cells. We focus on understanding the mechanisms of activity of 3 conserved factors involved in chromatin modulation that we have found to be essential to limit stem cell proliferation. In a second line of research, we examine the nature of and contributing factors to spontaneous mutations in the adult stem cell genome. Indeed, we have recently discovered that frequent mutations arise in adult stem cells, lead to neoplasia, and are associated with gene deletion and large chromosome rearrangements.
