Gama, Vivian, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology

Vivian Gama, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology
4150 MRBIII
465 21st Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee – 37240
615-875-9490 (office)
615-875-7004 (lab)
vivian.gama@vanderbilt.edu

Stem cells (both normal and cancerous) are defined by their ability to self-renew, in order to maintain their numbers, and their ability to differentiate into distinct cell types. Our lab is interested in uncovering new pathways regulating these stem cell properties. We are particularly interested in characterizing the functions of apoptotic proteins in maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency and in the regulation of differentiation and reprogramming. Using genetics, biochemistry, proteomics and live cell imaging we are uncovering the role of apoptotic proteins for the maintenance of the stem cell phenotype. We use embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and cancer stem cells (Glioblastoma and Medulloblastoma) as model systems.

For more information, please visit the lab website.