In the Tamplin lab, we study the basic biology of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their microenvironment. These stem cells are clinically important as a curative treatment for many blood cancers and diseases. A better understanding of HSCs and their supportive niche will help us improve these treatments and thereby patient survival.
We are investigating the intercellular crosstalk between a stem cell and its surrounding niche cells. The means of communication can be paracrine signals, direct contact, or transfer of cellular material. Our overall research goal is to understand mechanistically how different signals are translated into HSC fate decisions.
We use complementary mouse and zebrafish model organisms. The zebrafish is the only vertebrate genetic model that allows high-resolution live imaging of endogenous cellular behaviors. We can harness the strengths of the zebrafish model to develop and test unique hypotheses that could not be acquired using any other system. We then use the mouse model to test translation of our findings to a mammalian system.