Mick Bhatia
Profile: Director and Senior Scientist, McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute
Department: Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University
Research Interests:
Dr. Bhatia’s research program sets out to understand the molecular mechanisms which orchestrate somatic and pluripotent (embryonic and reprogrammed iPSC) stem cell development. This lab focuses on human stem cells alone. Dr. Bhatia’s studies include;
1) Characterization of molecular pathways regulating human hematopoietic and pluripotent stem cells, 2) Identification of target genes regulated by mesodermal factors such as Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog, and 3) Creation of novel in vivo models for cellular/tissue regeneration through transplantation of human stem cells. More recently, Dr. Bhatia’s program is focused on mature lineage of hematopoietic and neural tissue derived from “DIRECT” reprogramming (vs. via iPS state) from human skin fibroblasts.