Our bodies remain remarkably stable from day to day, even as we encounter changing environments. This stability, known as homeostasis, is maintained by thermostat-like functions within individual organs and reinforced by interactions between organs. At the heart of this system are tissue stem cells, which both self-renew and generate specialized cells that sustain tissue function. When these stem cells lose their ability to function properly, tissues fail to maintain themselves—leading to disease.

To investigate diseases at the cellular level, our laboratory has developed advanced culture methods for organoids—three-dimensional “miniature organs” grown from human epithelial stem cells. By providing the essential niche factors that support stem cell maintenance, we can generate organoids that faithfully reproduce the architecture and function of living human tissues. This system offers an unprecedented platform to study human biology directly.

Building on this technology, our research seeks to unravel the mechanisms underlying human diseases, particularly gastrointestinal cancers, and develop new therapeutic strategies. Our laboratory provides a dynamic environment for those eager to connect basic biology with clinical applications and to advance medicine through cutting-edge organoid research.