Principal Investigator Shiladitya Sengupta
Although the concept of 'niche' in stem cell biology has been theoritically constructive, experimental proof has been elusive. We are integrating recently developed tools in sequencing the sugar microenvironment (the glycome) to understand the cues offered by the environment in stem cell differentiation. In a recent proof of principle experiment, we have recently demonstrated that the glycome and the transcriptome cross-talks in controlling cellular phenotype. Information generated from the experiments will enable the engineering of designer scaffolds that will direct the differention of stem cells.