Research Area

stem cell biology, developmental biology, degenerative eye diseases, gene therapy, stem cell therapy

Research Summary

Research in the Xie laboratory is focused on two major directions, stem cell biology and degenerative eye diseases. Stem cells can self-renew and produce one or several differentiated cell types that support tissue development, maintenance, and regeneration. As such, their potential efficacy for the treatment of various human degenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and glaucoma, is now being widely investigated. As stem cells generate new, functional cells that can replace worn-out cells, they also have the potential to act as a major internal force in the fight against aging. Thus, to realize their potential for treating various diseases and fighting against aging, it is important to have a deeper understanding of how stem cells are regulated at the cellular and molecular level.