How do differentiated cell types maintain their identity?
• Approach: We modify transcription factor programs to induce cells to switch fates. • Impact: Understanding the mechanisms underlying cellular identity allows for the prevention of revertant/aberrant cell fates (i.e. cancer). Additionally, these studies may allow for production of clinically useful cell types for therapy. • Current Projects: • Reprogramming of adult cells into embryonic-like induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) • Reprogramming of non-neural cells directly into neural fates 3. What are the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to developmental disorders? • Approach: We use induced pluripotent stem cells from human patients with neurodevelopmental disorders to study the cellular and molecular aberrations that contribute to disease. • Impact: Unlike other species, access to developing human tissues is not feasible. The iPS cell technology now allows access to pluripotent cells from individual patients. By comparing iPS cells from different patients, we
