Dickinson Lab
Principal Investigator: Alexandra Jazz Dickinson
Institution: University of California San Diego (La Jolla, CA)
Primary Subfield: Molecular & Cell Bio
Recruitment Status: Inquire for rotation/fellowship opportunities
Research Focus
Project Summary Small molecules are critical for proper regulation of stem cell behavior in multicellular organisms. Consequently, defects in the biosynthesis, perception, or metabolism of these compounds can cause developmental abnormalities and disease. Despite the critical importance of small molecules, the vast majority of our understanding of their functions is derived from indirect measurements. Typically, studies of small molecule biology are limited to genetic or biochemical approaches that ascribe functional roles to compounds based on the properties of the genes or proteins that interact with these molecules. Alternatively, small molecules are studied using chemical analysis approaches that homogenize bulk tissue and destroy the native context of the signals. High-resolution spatial information is critical in development, where stem cells comprise only a small fraction of the tissue. To enable deeper investigations of chemical regulation of stem cell behavior, my lab will apply technologies capable of directly measuring the localization and activity of small molecules in their native developmental contexts. This work will be done using plant roots, which are a powerful de…
Active NIH Awards
- 5R35GM147216-05: Illuminating the chemical biology of stem cell decisions in plant roots (2026)
- 5R35GM147216-04: Illuminating the chemical biology of stem cell decisions in plant roots (2025)
- 5R35GM147216-03: Illuminating the chemical biology of stem cell decisions in plant roots (2024)
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