Project 4 - Transcriptional regulation of epithelial differentiation in the kidney

Project Summary

Terminal differentiation in kidney epithelia includes the establishment of apico-basal polarity, the proximal-distal patterning of cell types along the nephron, and the acquisition of cell type-specific function. Notably, epithelial-specific genes are activated in a synchronized fashion during these processes. Therefore, these events are likely to be coordinated by a limited number of repressors or activators of gene transcription. We use genome-wide techniques to analyze gene expression and transcription factor-genome interaction in the setting of renal epithelial differentiation. We combine them with murine model systems to test function of individual candidate transcription factors. By these efforts, we are aiming to elucidate the transcriptional networks in renal epithelial cells and their progenitors.

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