Our research focuses on the roles of Wnt signaling and transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in development and regeneration of epithelial tissues and their appendages. Understanding these mechanisms is critical for developing new therapies to accelerate wound healing, treat hair loss diseases, and ameliorate smell and taste dysfunction.

In our published studies, we identified Wnt/beta-catenin signaling as a key pathway required for initiating the formation of ectodermal appendages from multipotent cells in mammalian embryos, and in controlling development and patterning of haired versus hairy skin. By analyzing genetic mouse models and tissues from human patients carrying mutations in the WNT10A gene, we showed that Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in regulating the functions of a wide variety of adult epithelial stem cells, as well as in controlling specialized differentiation programs in palmoplantar skin. We also identified critical functions for epigenetic regulators including micro-RNAs and chromatin modifiers in skin development and regeneration.

The Millar lab is part of the Black Family Institute; the Department of Cell, Regenerative and Developmental Biology; the Department of Oncological Sciences; and the Department of Dermatology. Dr. Millar is also a faculty member of the Development, Regeneration and Stem Cells (DRS) graduate program.

Links

Department of Dermatology

Development, Regeneration and Stem Cells graduate program

Dr. Millar lecture SID 2017

Department of Oncological Sciences

Center for Epithelial Biology and Regeneration

Current projects in the lab include:

1. Determining the mechanisms that underlie the formation and maintenance of hairy versus hairless skin and regulate hair patterning

2. Delineating the functions of histone deacetylase chromatin modifiers in skin development, stem cells, and cancer

3. Identifying pioneer transcription factors that control development and stem cell activity in the skin

4.Using novel genetic mouse models to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in loss of taste and smell in COVID-19 disease

We are actively seeking graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to join our group!

If you are interested in a rotation project or position in the Millar lab please contact Dr. Millar at sarah.millar@mssm.edu.