The human body and particularly the tissues facing the external environment, such as the outermost lining of skin and intestine, are exposed to wear and tear throughout life. To maintain the functionality of organs, worn parts are replaced with new cells produced by the tissue-resident stem cells. Stem cell function is particularly challenged upon injury when a large quantity of new tissue is required to replace the damaged region rapidly. However, stem cells’ renewal capacity declines with age, reducing tissue function and predisposing to diseases. To maintain the ability to regenerate and repair, the body regulates the number, activity, and function of stem cells via signals from the surrounding tissue, the niche. By understanding the natural regulation of stem cell function, we lay grounds for future research aiming to maintain the body’s functional capacity longer and improve the aging population’s quality of life.
The communication between cells has fascinated me throughout my academic career. I graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Helsinki in 2021. The subject of my dissertation was the effects of aging on the interaction of stem cells and the microenvironment. I have been working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Francis Crick Institute since 2021, where my research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of damage repair.