Mechanisms of stem cell aging and transformation

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) maintain blood formation throughout our lifetime. Balancing stem cell regeneration and differentiation commitment to produce mature blood cells is quintessential for a healthy hematopoietic system. Dysregulation of such HSC fate determination processes can lead to loss of immune function, bone marrow failure, and malignant transformation during aging. Up to date, very little is known about the molecular events driving age-related HSC changes and how they contribute to disease. Understanding age-associated molecular alterations will not only uncover fundamental mechanisms guiding function of HSC, but may also allow for therapeutic intervention to "rejuvenate" aged hematopoietic systems and possibly even prevent age-associated hematopoietic diseases.

Our mission is to clarify the central mechanisms establishing and guarding sustained hematopoietic stem cell function, particular those that drive leukemogenesis, if disrupted. 

We develop innovative genetic mouse models, use ex vivo and in vivo primary mouse and human stem cell assay systems, exploit lentiviral gene transfer, and apply state-of-the-art molecular biology and next generation sequencing techniques.

Research pipeline I | Molecular determinants of adult stem cells. 

Research pipeline II | Therapeutically actionable safeguards in cancer stem cells. 

Research pipeline III | New stem cell-directed therapies.