I am currently investigating how human epidermal stem cell renewal and lineage selection are controlled by reciprocal interactions within the cellular microenvironment. For this, I use micro-patterning technology to create hexagonal ECM substrates (isolated and bowtie) that control cell spreading and cell-cell contact. I am looking for the potential signalling candidates and trying to decipher how interactions between the key signalling pathways regulate epidermal homeostasis.