Sounak Sahu, PhD

My laboratory is focused on advancing our understanding of human development, disease, and precision medicine through innovative approaches in stem cell biology and functional genomics. Specifically, we work on three interrelated themes: 

1. Embryonic Stem Cells and Organoids in Development and Regenerative Medicine

We are interested in the remarkable potential of embryonic stem cells to engineer three-dimensional organoid models that elucidate aspects of early human development. By generating organoids representing ectodermal lineages such as skin, mammary gland, salivary, and sweat tissues, we recreate complex cellular interactions in vitro, allowing high-resolution study of tissue differentiation and morphogenesis. This approach enables us to dissect the mechanisms governing developmental processes and investigate how these mechanisms are disrupted in diverse genetic disorders. Through developing these 3D platforms, our lab is opening novel avenues in developmental biology, disease modeling, and regenerative therapies.

1. Understanding Normal Development to model cancer progression

The parallels between embryonic development and cancer reveal that malignant cells often exploit developmental programs for growth, invasion, and plasticity. Our laboratory investigates normal mammary gland development as a paradigm, aiming to understand how highly controlled processes such as branching morphogenesis and cell fate specification are commandeered by cancer. This research provides invaluable insight into the regulatory circuits that underlie both tissue formation and tumor heterogeneity, revealing novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. By characterizing how developmental programs are subverted in breast cancer, our work illuminates the shared biological foundations of development and disease and identifies critical vulnerabilities for novel cancer therapeutics.

1. Functional Genomics for Cancer Precision Medicine

As genome sequencing uncovers an ever-expanding array of DNA variants, the clinical interpretation of "variants of uncertain significance" (VUS) remains a central challenge in precision medicine. Our lab advances high-throughput functional genomics, integrating CRISPR-based tools with organoid and stem cell models to systematically test the biological impact of these variants. This innovative strategy allows rapid connection of genotype to phenotype, enabling how specific variants influence cellular function, development, and disease. By mapping the consequences of VUS within relevant biological contexts, we contribute essential knowledge to guide diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized therapy for cancers.

Through these interdisciplinary efforts, our laboratory shapes the future of developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and cancer therapeutics. Please visit our lab website to know more.