Robert A. Schulz
Notre Dame Professor of Biological Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences
Phone: 574-631-5492
Office: 147 Galvin Life Sciences Center
As hematopoiesis is an evolutionarily conserved developmental process, the genetic control of blood cell production can be investigated in an expedient and relevant manner using model organisms such as the laboratory fruit fly Drosophila. A hematopoietic stem cell niche has been discovered in Drosophila, with its cellular organization and molecular signaling therein shown to be remarkably similar to that observed in the hematopoietic stem cell niches of mammals.
Dr. Schulz’s research goal is to screen the Drosophila genome to discover genes that are essential for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, and determine the mechanisms through which these genes function in stem or support cells.
Research findings obtained from these innovative studies will provide a wealth of information on the genetic and molecular mechanisms at work within a hematopoietic stem cell-niche microenvironment. Such knowledge will be beneficial to the study and understanding of abnormal hematopoiesis, including cancer, in humans.
Would you like to support Prof. Schulz’s Research?