Welcome to the Hu Lab at UCLA!
Our lab studies the genetic, molecular, and mechanical basis by which progenitor and stem cells are regulated, both during embryonic development to organize into precise forms and shapes, and in adults to maintain each organ’s complex structure and cellular composition. We use several craniofacial structures as model systems, including the tooth and the tongue, and interrogate them via mouse genetics, live imaging, genomic methods, and biomechanical techniques. Ultimately, we aim to extract principal mechanisms of tissue morphogenesis and stem cell regulation from these experiments to better design and develop strategies for regenerative medicine.
