Decoding epigenetic regulation to rejuvenate aging-induced stem cell exhaustion
Dr. Luan’s research focuses on understanding how chronic inflammation contributes to the age-related decline in stem cell function and tissue repair. While adult stem cells are essential for wound healing, their regenerative capacity diminishes with age, partly due to persistent inflammatory signals in aged tissues. Dr. Luan is investigating how prolonged exposure to inflammation alters the epigenetic landscape of skin stem cells, potentially leading to long-lasting changes that impair their ability to activate key regenerative programs. By combining genetic and genomic approaches, she aims to identify the molecular mechanisms that drive these epigenetic changes and determine whether reversing them can restore stem cell function. This work has the potential to uncover novel pathways involved in aging and tissue repair and may ultimately inform strategies to rejuvenate aged stem cells, enhance wound healing, and improve health outcomes in older adults.
