University of Pennsylvania · BiologyCell Identity and Regeneration Lab
Kenneth Zaret · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Kenneth Zaret's lab focuses on the complex mechanisms that control how cells change their identity, particularly in liver development and regeneration. By studying proteins that regulate gene expression and the structures of chromosomes, the lab aims to uncover how cells can be reprogrammed for therapeutic purposes. Their research could lead to innovative strategies for treating diseases linked to cell fate, such as cancers and genetic disorders.
transcription factorschromatincell fateliver developmentgene regulationcell reprogrammingheterochromatindisease modeling
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how transcription factors interact with chromatin to influence cell fate changes.
AIM 02Explore the role of heterochromatin in liver development and regeneration.
AIM 03Determine how chromatin states affect gene repression during liver cell identity.
AIM 04Assess the kinetics of transcription factors in live embryos and liver cells.
AIM 05Develop methods to improve reprogramming of cells for therapeutic applications.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturegenetic engineeringRNA sequencingsingle molecule trackinghigh-resolution imagingbiochemical assaysnucleosome assaysCRISPRmouse models
Output against the department
Publications258top 23% of dept.238th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations20ktop 20% of dept.207th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.