We are interested in how cell fate is controlled during development, the mis-regulation of which is the fundamental basis of diseases. How transcribed RNAs are precisely regulated to coordinate with cell fate determination is key for development. We aim to understand how cell fate is initiated, established, and maintained for different lineages. Specifically, we are studying how human embryonic stem cells are maintained and differentiated, focusing on the regulation mediated by RNA-binding proteins and RNA modifications.
1. How mRNAs are stored and regulated in processing bodies (p bodies) to coordinate with human embryonic stem cell maintenance and differentiation.
2. How information encoded in m6A modification is read by different m6A readers to regulate the maintenance and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.
3. How RNA-binding proteins are involved in the regulation of human primorgial germ cell specification and development.
