Seda Ates-Kalkan

My project builds on previous research to investigate the origins and convergence of peripheral nervous system components in the trunk, which arise from both neural crest (NC) and neuromesodermal (NM) progenitors. Using advanced techniques like tissue-specific inducible Cre-Lox systems and single-cell multiomics, I trace the lineage of NM and NC cells over time, allowing for a comparative analysis of the regulatory circuits that drive neuronal cell fate. Moving forward, I aim to conduct functional tests on key factors within these circuits to understand their roles in neuronal differentiation, while also developing a cellular model to generate peripheral neuronal derivatives based on these findings. The ultimate goal is to create a framework for using pluripotent stem cells and axial progenitors to generate targeted peripheral neuronal populations, laying the foundation for future cell therapies to treat conditions involving the peripheral nervous system.