Epigenetics and Stem Cell Aging Unit
Isabel Beerman, PhD, Chief
The Epigenetics and Stem Cell Aging Unit is focused on understanding mechanisms that underlie age-associated functional decline, with a focus on adult tissue-specific stem cells. By establishing the mechanisms leading to dysregulation of stem cells, we can begin to target these alterations to restore potential to the aging stem cell compartments. As the tissue-specific stem cells are responsible for maintaining overall tissue homeostasis, reestablishing the full potential to these aged cells could mitigate many aged associated phenotypes.
List of Portfolio/Research Areas
Our current projects fall under four main categories:
- Epigenetic Modifications
- Reprogramming
- Extrinsic Contributions
- Interventions
Findings and Publications
Beerman I, Accumulation of DNA damage in the aged hematopoietic stem cell compartment. Semin Hematol 2017. Jan;54(1):12-18
Beerman I and Rossi DJ. Epigenetic Control of Stem Cell Potential During Homeostasis, Aging, and Disease. Cell Stem Cell 2015; Jun 4; 16(6): 613-625
Beerman I*, Seita J*, Inlay MA, Weissman IL, Rossi DJ. Quiescent hematopoietic stem cells accumulate DNA damage during aging that is repaired upon entry into cell cycle. Cell Stem Cell 2014. Jul 3;15(1):37-50
Beerman I, Bock C, Garrison BS, Smith ZD, Gu H, Meissner A, Rossi DJ, Proliferation-Dependent Alterations of the DNA Methylation Landscape Underlie Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging. Cell Stem Cell 2013. Apr 4;12(4):413-25
Beerman I, Bhattacharya D, Zandi S, Sigvardsson M, Weissman IL, Bryder D, Rossi DJ. Functionally distinct hematopoietic stem cells modulate hematopoietic lineage potential during aging by a mechanism of clonal expansion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Mar; 107(12): 5465-7