Research
Fetal Hematopoiesis Atlas: Decoding the Origins of the Neonatal Immune System
Our lab is building a high-resolution map of fetal hematopoiesis to uncover how hematopoietic progenitors give rise to the first waves of immune cells that populate neonatal barrier tissues. Unlike the adult immune system, fetal and neonatal immunity is uniquely tuned for rapid response and barrier protection in a newly exposed environment. However, the developmental origins and gene regulatory programs underlying these early immune waves remain poorly understood. We are charting the temporospatial lineage relationships of fetal progenitors and identifying the gene networks that drive immune function across developmental stages and tissue contexts. This work will elucidate the hierarchical organization and cellular heterogeneity of the fetal hematopoietic system, providing foundational insights into the establishment of barrier immunity during early life.
Rewiring Immunity: Transcriptional Control of Early-Life Immune Cell Fate
Some immune cell types, such as microglia, LTi cells, B1 B cells, and γδ T cells, emerge predominantly during a restricted window of time of embryonic development, with limited generation in adulthood. What governs this time-restricted emergence remains unclear, particularly the balance between fetal environmental cues and intrinsic progenitor identity. Our lab investigates this question using In Utero Transplantation (IUT), a cutting-edge technique that enables direct transfer of hematopoietic progenitors into developing embryos. By tracing lineage relationships in a native physiological setting, we aim to uncover how the neonatal immune system is built. We are especially interested in understanding how transcription factor networks reprogram developmental potential, allowing adult progenitors to adopt fetal-like fates. This work will define core regulatory circuits driving the age-specific generation of early-life lymphocytes.
Nutritional Imprinting: Maternal Diet in Pregnancy and Barrier Immune Development
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy leaves a lasting imprint on the offspring’s immune system, especially at barrier tissues like the skin, gut, and lungs. High-calorie diets and maternal obesity have been linked to altered immune cell function, increased barrier inflammation, and a greater risk of autoimmune and allergic diseases in the next generation. Our lab investigates how dietary cues during gestation influence the development and function of early-life origin immune populations critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Using genetic models and dietary manipulations, we study how nutrient-sensing pathways and metabolite sensors regulate immune effector programs. By uncovering the molecular and metabolic mechanisms that shape fetal-imprinted immune responses, we aim to identify regulatory checkpoints that could inform dietary strategies to strengthen barrier tissue immunity.