We use the hair follicle as a model system to study stem cell regulation and the mechanisms of tissue degeneration and regeneration, with the goal of developing strategies and therapeutics that enhance tissue repair. The hair follicle is a cylindrical mini-organ composed of keratinocytes and melanocytes at the top, and specialized mesenchymal cells known as dermal papilla cells at the base. It contains two key stem cell populations: hair follicle stem cells and melanocyte stem cells. Hair follicles are among the few organs in the body that undergo lifelong cyclical regeneration. Because of their rapid growth, actively growing follicles are highly sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy, often resulting in severe hair loss and pigment depletion. Our research focuses on understanding how follicular stem cells sense systemic and environmental cues to initiate regeneration, and how their metabolic programs are regulated. Additionally, we study the injury responses of stem cells within the follicle, which also has important clinical implications. Damage to these cells can lead to hair loss or depigmentation/hair graying. We aim to enhance the intrinsic self-repair capacity of follicular stem cells after injury, thereby promoting hair growth and preventing alopecia and hair graying. Our laboratory focuses on the following research areas: • How local tissue microenvironments (micro-niches), systemic factors (macro-niches), and external environmental cues (exo-niches) regulate stem cell activity within the hair follicle. • How hair follicle cells communicate and coordinate with each other and with surrounding cell types to drive tissue regeneration. • How hair follicles repair themselves after injury, and how understanding these mechanisms can guide the development of therapies and drugs to treat hair loss and prevent follicular depigmentation. • Immune and metabolic regulation of hair follicle growth. • Pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata and vitiligo. • Cell therapy and tissue engineering.
