The Wong Lab seeks to discover novel and fundamental insights related to skin and hair follicle biology, epithelial stem cells and cancer. We are studying how stem cells in the skin and hair follicle coordinate their behaviors to maintain barrier function, regenerate hair and heal wounds. Our group is also interested in the genetic factors that drive basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tumor formation.
As members of both the Departments of Dermatology and Cell and Developmental Biology at U-M Medical School, we combine basic science and translational in vivo approaches to uncover novel insights into multiple aspects of cutaneous biology.
We are exploring how hair follicles contribute to skin homeostasis, while examining how hair follicle-related processes are perturbed in severe skin barrier disease, such as harlequin ichthyosis. Our studies seek to gain fundamental understanding of the upper hair follicle domain, a poorly studied region of the skin that is perturbed in diseases such as acne, hidradenitis suppurativa and keratosis pilaris.
We are interested in how sebaceous gland (SG) stem cells are regulated. Our group is working to identify some of the complex factors that regulate SG stem cells and to test the requirement for SGs in maintaining normal skin function.
We are studying the signaling pathways that mediate development of BCC tumors, including Hedgehog, Wnt and Notch, as well as other factors that impinge upon transduction of these networks. We are particularly curious about the interplay between Hedgehog and Notch signaling, and how these two pathways work together to modulate tumorigenesis and drug response. In addition, we are examining BCC tumor progression in the context of normal hair follicle development.
Associate Professor of Cell and Development Biology
Dermatology
View publications on Skin Cancer and Hair Follicle Biology research by Sunny Wong, PhD.
