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|  University of Hawai'i Manoa |
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| University of Hawai'i Manoa |
Telomeres are essential genetic elements that cap the ends of chromosomes. The replication of telomeres in proliferating cells is accomplished by a specialized ribonucleic acid enzymatic complex called telomerase. I have been studying telomere shortening and cell aging as well as telomerase biology, especially regulation of telomerase, for over a decade. More recently, as a post doctoral fellow in Dr. Irving Weissman’s lab at Stanford University, I became interested in stem cell biology, especially the regulation of telomerase in stem cells. I joined the Institute for Biogenesis Research (IBR) in the summer of 2003 as an assistant professor, where I am at present. My current research interests at the IBR are still in the area of stem cell biology and telomere/telomerase biology, and also include research on factors controlling and effecting long-term stem cell survival. I am particularly interested in figuring out how telomerase is regulated in stem cells, and what role telomerase dysregulation may have during perinatal development. I am also interested in the role that a new gene, Sirt1, may play in different types of stem cells. Sirt1 is an NAD-dependent protein deacetylase that effects both cell survival and has been implicated as a transcriptional regulator of telomerase as well. Stem cells which I am particularly interested in include blood stem cells, germ line stem cells and neuronal stem cells.
From adult mouse skin cells.
From adult mouse skin cells.