The lab explores the molecular mechanisms by which stem cells maintain their ability to self-renew while also generating differentiated progeny. Using model systems such as Drosophila, mice, and human cells, the lab identifies key intrinsic factors (e.g., transcriptional regulators, epigenetic modifiers) and extrinsic niche signals that guide these processes. A particular focus is placed on understanding asymmetric cell division, which allows one daughter cell to remain a stem cell while the other differentiates. Insights from this work inform how tissues regenerate and how imbalances in these processes may lead to diseases like cancer or degenerative disorders. 

The lab also investigates how gene expression is regulated beyond the DNA sequence, with a focus on epigenetic mechanisms and RNA regulation in stem and germline cells. This includes studying histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and the role of non-coding RNAs such as piRNAs in shaping the transcriptome. The team uses high-throughput sequencing and genome-wide analyses to map these regulatory landscapes and uncover how they contribute to cell fate decisions, genome defense, and cellular longevity.