The Yao Lab
- We have used innovative approaches to establish both in vitro and in vivo human and mouse models, to identify the genetic and physical determinants that are critical and sufficient for optimal embryo development. Our methods include gene knockdown strategy combined with single-embryo gene expression profiling, applying microfluidics to control physical culture parameters, and the use of clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes analysis to direct us towards clinically relevant embryo and reproductive phenotypes.
- We have discovered novel and critical roles of master pluripotency regulator, Oct4, in the maternal-embryonic transition and have begun to deconstruct the gene regulatory network in the early embryo. This, combined with deep phenotypic analysis of early human embryo development and clinical IVF, we are investigating early human development in a translational context that is directly relevant to human health and disease.
- Our mission is to contribute new and essential knowledge to advance paradigms in the fields of stem cell, cancer, and assisted reproductive technologies, and broaden our scope of human development, health and disease in the 21st century.
Read more on research focus.
