Understanding the establishment of cell identity is a major goal in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Our main research interest focuses on the mechanisms regulating cell identity and plasticity of key metabolic organs, such as the pancreas and the liver. We use multimodal approaches, integrating single-cell and spatial ‘omics with imaging, in mouse embryos and human models to study how distinct cell types, such as liver and pancreas, arise from common progenitors and acquire specialized shape to form functional organs. What is the gene regulatory network upstream of the fate decision between liver and pancreas? To what extent are these cellular states plastic? And are the establishment of cell identity and morphogenetic programs intrinsically linked? A current major focus of our work is to define how microenvironmental niches interact with GRNs to shape pancreatic endocrine and acinar lineages. The long-term goal of our research is to translate developmental concepts into new therapies.

Please see the Lab website here: https://www.spagnolilab.org/