Cellular decisions in complex environments
From molecular and cell biology, via bioengineering and nanotechnologies towards novel therapeutic approaches to target cell-cell signaling and cell fate in tissue regeneration and cancer
The Cell Fate Lab research interest
Our research is focused on the fundamental molecular mechanisms that guide cell fate and cell organization in stem cell differentiation, tissue regeneration and in disease such as cancer. Together with collaborators we utilize such knowledge to develop material-based medical technologies to control these mechanisms in regenerative and cancer therapies.
Coordination of cells through molecular cell signaling pathways is crucial for the formation of functional tissues and signaling is often deregulated in diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, allowing cells to acquire abnormal functions and pathological remodeling of tissue architecture. The physical, mechanical, and chemical stimuli of the microenvironment also influence cell signaling and cell fate decisions during development and disease progression.
Determine how the microenvironment (chemical, physical and cellular) influences Notch signaling activity and how the integration of cues from the environment and Notch regulate cell fate and tissue architecture in health and disease
The Cell Fate Lab tries to find answers to 3 key questions:
How are signaling mechanisms regulating cell fate decisions based on input from cell autonomous mechanisms and the environment?
How do these mechanisms influence cell fate and how do deregulated mechanisms link to disease?
How can cell signaling be modulated for therapeutic purposes in order to control cell fate in cancer and regenerative therapy?
The Cell Fate Lab is headed by Cecilia Sahlgren who is a professor in cell biology at Åbo Akademi University, Finland, and part time professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands.
The lab studies molecular cell fate decisions and operates in Turku, Finland and in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.