Understanding the Dynamics of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation: A Combined Experimental and Modeling Approach

Pluripotency is a key feature of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and is defined as the ability to give rise to all cell lineages in the adult body. Currently, there is a good understanding of the signals required to maintain ESCs in the pluripotent state and the transcription factors that comprise their gene regulatory network. However, little is known about how ESCs exit the pluripotent state and begin the process of differentiation. We aim to understand the molecular events associated with this process via an experiment-model cycle.