Theo Palmer’s lab focused on the ability of adult neuronal precursors to develop into mature neurons and many focuses particularly on the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus which among other things has been associated with learning. My work has focused on understanding the interaction between learning and forgetting in particular Rac1 a Rho GTPase protein that has been associated with in neuronal morphogenesis, survival, neural transmitter release, neurogenesis, and neuronal migration and forgetting.

The Stainier lab uses the zebrafish as a model to investigate vertebrate organ development. The lab is interested in understanding molecular events that drive processes such as cellular differentiation and morphogenesis. The zebrafish is an ideal model organism to study early embryological development. It grows quickly and provides clear resolution of single cells in any tissue during all developmental stages. Diabetes is a detrimental disease that affects more and more people each year.

In humans, injuries to the retina can cause irreversible damage that results in vision impairment and blindness. The potential of stem cell-based treatments for these devastating conditions depends upon a detailed understanding of the growth factors and cytokines that maintain retinal homeostasis, and the roles they may play in activating retinal progenitor cells in the mammalian retina. Here, we demonstrate that potentiated Wnt signaling in the mammalian retina results in the increased production of retinal progenitor cells.

Quiescent satellite cells (SCs) display heterogeneous expression of Pax3 which has been shown to play a role in proliferation and myogenic determination. p53 is known to be involved in the regulation of quiescence, self-renewal, cell fate, and cellular senescence. SCs from the diaphragm lose their myogenic fate at a much higher rate than SCs from the hindlimb. Early results show that p53 displays differential activity in the diaphragm versus the limb SCs. Indeed, when Pax3 is overexpressed in C2C12 cells p53 is destabilized.

Professor Irving Weissman, Stanford University

Professor Joseph Costello, University of California, San Francisco

Professor Alain Balmain, University of California, San Francisco

The Balmain labs' main research interests have been the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of multistage carcinogenesis, with particular emphasis on mouse models of chemically induced skin tumor development.

Professor Theo Palmer, Stanford University

Palmer Lab Summary: Neural precursor cells (NPC) possess the ability differentiate into mature neurons. Transplantation of NPCs may help to alleviate conditions of diminished neurogenesis and neurodegenerative
disease by providing a source of new neurons. My work is focused on understanding how the immune system reacts to transplanted NPCs in a murine model.

Professor Robert Blelloch, University of California, San Francisco

Professor Pamela Denbesten, University of California, San Francisco

The Denbesten lab focuses on whole‐tooth regeneration, both for direct clinical application and as a model for organogenesis in general. A major hindrance to the goal of tooth regeneration is that Ameloblasts (the cells
responsible for secreting proteins which direct the formation of tooth enamel) are no longer present after teeth have erupted. My lab is currently engaged in efforts to identify the factors capable of promoting Ameloblast differentiation from human embryonic stem cells.