The focus of my research is on the molecular physiology and pathology of skeletal and dental tissues, and regulation of the biomineralization process in response to extracellular stimuli. In particular, I am interested in deciphering the differences in regulation of gene expression and cellular functions under various physiological and pathological conditions. Since bone formation and homeostasis are highly regulated by mechanical stimuli, I am very interested in understanding how the microgravity environment affects the physiology of cells making bone. My expertise encompasses fundamental molecular, cellular and developmental biology, and genetics; my research approach combines analyses of knockout and transgenic mice, as disease models, with in vitro studies of molecular interactions in a specific cellular context.
