Research 

Dynamics of nuclear signaling A-kinase anchoring proteins, or AKAPs, target the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and other protein kinases or phosphatases (e.g., PP1) to specific subcellular loci presumably for maximum enzyme efficacy. We are investigating the functional properties of AKAP95 and AKAP149, which are both implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression. Of interest are also nuclear PP1 targeting subunits such as PNUTS, which may affect chromosome architecture at mitosis. Video - Laser scanning confocal analysis of HeLa cell nuclei showing PNUTS (green) and sc35 (red).

Nuclear reprogramming

The mechanisms underlying genomic plasticity are poorly understood. Alteration of cell fate involves a reprogramming of nuclear function. Using cellular extract-based approaches, we are exploring the transdifferentiation and dedifferentiation capacities of somatic cells. Epithelial 293T cells reprogrammed into cells expressing alpha and beta chains of the IL-2 receptor (yellow).

Epigenetics of adipose stem cells

The stromal compartment of mesenchymal tissues harbors stem cells that display extensive proliferative capacity and multilineage potential. A recent research axis in our lab is the characterization of the molecular processes that govern ‘stemness’ in freshly isolated and cultured stem cells purified from adipose tissue. Human adipose stem cells differentiated into osteoblasts (Alizarin red staining visualizes the mineralized extra-cellular matrix).

Technology development Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a powerful technique to map epigenetic histone modifications on DNA and to establish binding of transcription factors to the gene promoters. We have developed a quick and quantitative Q2ChIP from low cell numbers.