Organogenesis & Stem Cell Biology Research Program in Development

Overview

The mission of the Duke Stem Cell Research Program is to advance our understanding of the basic science of stem cells and to promote their application in the clinic to help save lives and reduce suffering. At the same time, we must be sensitive to the ethical and social implications of our work and strive to make both information and potential benefits available to all. At the level of basic research we are using both embryonic and adult stem cells and a variety of model organisms, including mice, flies, and fish. The goal is to understand the rules that govern how stem cells grow and multiply and how they differentiate into many different specialized cell types. We are also studying the environment or “niche” in which stem cells reside in adult organs and tissues, and how signals from the body normally control stem cell behavior. At the more applied level, we are exploring ways in which both adult and embryonic stem cells can be used therapeutically and how they can be integrated into damaged or diseased tissues to promote regeneration and repair. Finally, we strive to increase our understanding of cancer stem cells and to use this information to explore new anti-cancer therapies.