Research Question
Molecular mechanisms of stem cell quiescence and activation

Adult stem cells have the unique ability to produce differentiated daughter cells as well as replenish the stem pool through the process of self-renewal. In the absence of stimulus, subsets of mammalian adult stem cells can reside in the quiescent state for prolonged periods of time. Importantly, disruption of quiescence was shown to result in the depletion of the stem cell pool. Satellite cells are adult muscle stem cells that are primarily quiescent in resting muscle and that represent an excellent model to study stem cell quiescence. The main areas of interest of the laboratory are to specify the molecular pathways that control stem cell quiescence and stem cell-mediated tissue regeneration. Using both in vitro and in vivo approaches, we are also interested in getting a better understanding of adult stem cell function in the context of tissue regeneration, disease and aging.