RESEARCH

We study how to program cellular identity and plasticity to cure metabolic disease 

Adipocyte Identity and Reprogramming

Adipocytes play a key role in nutrient and energy homeostasis and come in different flavors: white, brown, beige and more. We are looking for ways to control and reprogram adipocyte identity to improve our metabolic health and cure disease such as obesity and diabetes.

Cellular Plasticity in Human Disease

Once differentiated, somatic cell types maintain cellular identity and fulfill their unique cellular functions, while some cell types have potentials to switch identity. We are exploring how such cellular plasticity contributes to normal physiology in mammals and is implicated in human disease. 

Development of Epigenomic Techniques

We have established powerful techniques for cell type-specific epigenomic analysis and single cell/nuclei gene expression profiling in vivo. We keep developing new methods that enable us to gain new insights into metabolism research and more.