Engineering cell fate through manipulating RNA and chromatin pathways
Tissue-specific stem cells are rare populations critical for the long-term maintenance and regeneration of organs and tissues. Their ability to self-renew and differentiate is tightly regulated by complex, multilayered mechanisms that respond to local environmental cues. My lab combines molecular, biochemical, and systems biology approaches to explore stem cell plasticity. Here, I will discuss how stem cells integrate epigenetic pathways to preserve identity and make fate decisions. I will present two interconnected strategies: (1) chromatin regulators that orchestrate genome organization during DNA replication and transcription, and (2) ancient viral-derived elements embedded within the genome that produce regulatory RNAs capable of modulating gene expression and protein synthesis. Our studies reveal how stem cells leverage both chromatin-based and RNA-driven networks to govern cell fate decisions. These findings provide a systems-level view of stem cell regulation, with broad implications for regenerative medicine, immune function, aging, and disease.