Revealing dynamic mechanisms controlling pluripotency in mammalian stem cells and embryos

Pluripotent cells in the mammalian embryo generate all cells of our mature bodies. These cells can also be cultured as embryonic stem cells, yet it remains unclear whether general mechanisms control pluripotency in the two systems. Here, we will use in vivo and in vitro single cell imaging to determine whether distinct kinetics of gene regulatory proteins called transcription factors, represent a general feature of pluripotency. This work will help to better understand dynamic mechanisms of cell differentiation.