The Downing Lab
Welcome to the Downing Lab at UCI! Our lab is a dynamic hub for research in cellular and tissue engineering. We are dedicated to understanding how a cell’s identity and function are shaped by its epigenetic state and its physical environment. Our work is a blend of fundamental science and applied innovation, with a core focus on controlling cell behavior for therapeutic and regenerative purposes.
Our Approach
Our research is grounded in the understanding that the cell behavior relies on more than just genetic code. From physical cues to transcriptional noise dynamics, cells can be influenced by a variety of mechanisms. We tackle the challenge of understanding and controlling cell fate through projects that span a variety of biomedical interests, including cancer, regenerative medicine, aging, and the fundamental research of cell cycle epigenetic maintenance. For more information, see our research and publication pages.
Affiliations
The Downing Lab is located in the Core Lab on the 6th floor of ISEB. We are proud to be affiliated with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center (CIRC), the NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research (CMCF), the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, and the Center for Complex Biological Systems (CCBS).
