We seek to understand the operational principles of the cellular software underlying complex cell behaviors. How do cells sense, process, and memorize information? We are particularly interested in the molecular mechanisms of emergent gene regulatory behavior that drive cell fate specification during embryonic development. Our research is currently centered around three questions:
Research
How do genes decode signaling dynamics?
Cells leverage dynamic communication codes (e.g. amplitude, duration or frequency of transcription factors) to differentially control gene expression programs. How genes decode temporal signaling features is largely unclear. We study the mechanisms of temporal decoders, by combining single-molecule imaging, optogenetics, and synthetic condensates.
How does chromatin mechanics control gene activation?
Cells live in a physical world and make use of mechanical signals to control gene regulatory programs. We study the role of chromatin mechanics for gene regulation.
How do cells communicate during early embryonic development?
Multicellular development requires the coordination of cellular behavior. We probe how cells communicate spatially by leveraging the power of spatial optogenetics in gastruloids.