Mechanisms of cell fate in epidermal maintenance, regeneration and tumorigenesis

stem cells are able to maintain and regenerate the skin and its appendages. The majority of human skin diseases are characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation. Using novel imaging technologies we can now directly observe and dissect the mechanisms that regulate these cellular behaviors in vivo; by visualizing the skin in its native undisturbed state, in live mice. Our goal is to 1) dissect the molecular and behavioral heterogeneity of cell populations in the skin and its appendices in order to identify putative skin stem cells., 2) Elucidate the elements of the skin niche environment that regulate stem cell activity in epidermal homeostasis, hair regeneration and wound healing and 3) use modern mouse genetic tools to model the development of skin cancer lesions and study how cell identity, behavior and fate contribute to tumor initiation and progression.