About Us

The Cornell lab studies the gene regulatory networks that govern cell lineage specification, cell survival, and cellular differentiation during embryonic development. In these studies, we use zebrafish, a vertebrate model system well-suited to genetic and embryological methods. This research illuminates the genetic pathways that govern specification, survival, and differentiation of cells. It also provides insight into how these pathways become disrupted in a variety of disease states, including birth defects, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. A separate focus is the mechanism by which variants detected in patients with orofacial cleft contribute to this congenital anomaly. For this work we use human cell lines.

Regulation of the Melanocyte Lineage by the AP2 Transcription Factor Family

Stem cells are subject to differentiation, leading to loss of tissue homeostasis, or unregulated growth, potentially leading to cancer. The balance of pluripotency, proliferation, and differentiation in melanocyte stem cells, a model of other adult stem cells, is regulated by a poorly-understood regulatory pathway including transcription factors MITF and TFAP2A. Our proposed experiments will illuminate this pathway in the context of normal development, and in a syndrome caused my mutations in TFAP2A.

Functional tests of non-coding DNA variants associated with risk for orofacial clefting

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and linkage studies have identified DNA variants, including single nucleotide polymorphims (SNPs), that are associated with elevated risk for isolated oral facial cleft, a common birth anomaly. However, it is a challenge to distinguish pathogenic variants from those merely in linkage disequilibrium with such variants. We address this issue we filter variants against genomic data indicative of enhancers, test candidate variants in reporter assays, and engineer the genotype of top candidate SNPs in induced pluripotent stem cells, which we differentiate into oral epithelium and then measure gene expression and transcription factor binding.

Dissecting the transcriptional network governing differentiation of periderm

Orofacial is a common disease with a major impact on the affected individual, their family and society. Here, we will determine the gene regulatory network for periderm, an embryonic tissue that is critical for development of the palate. Our new knowledge will identify candidate genes and help identify pathogenic variants located in regulatory elements which will improve risk assessment and provide new targets for rational therapies.

Latest

Yevdash, J. I., Robinson, D., Moore, R., Li, Z., Campbell-Hanson, K. R., Gutelius, D., Moore, S. P. G., Friend, D., O'Toole, I., Harman, B. E., Montgomery, C., Cornell, R. A., Birbrair, A., Riordan, J. D., Dupuy, A. J., Binkley, E. M., Mullins, R. F., Lang, D., Weigel, R. J., & Kenny, C. (2026). GNAQ Induces Melanomagenesis in Mitfa-Independent Melanocyte Progenitors in a Zebrafish Model of Uveal Melanoma. Cancer research, 86(15), 3687–3703. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-25-5299

[Read here]

Patni, A. P., Mout, R., Alghadeer, A., Moore, R. H., Nademi, S., Ausk, B. J., Huber, P., Keshri, R., Regier, M., Cornell, R. A., Gross, T., Freedman, B. S., Daley, G. Q., Baker, D., Mathieu, J., & Ruohola-Baker, H. (2026). Soluble Notch agonist enables human ameloblast maturation and enamel-like tissue formation for tooth regeneration. International journal of oral science, 18(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-026-00429-4

[Read here]

[Full list of publications]

Current staff

PI:

Robert Cornell, PhD

Acting Instructor:

Priyanka Kumari, PhD

Postdoc:

Amy Hammerquist, PhD

PhD Student:

Azeez Fashina, BDS, FMCDS (Nigeria)

Research Technologist / Lab Manager:

Kora Green, BA

Undergraduates:

Valerie Wang

Melinda Le

Jai Padda

Lab AlumNi

Join Our Team!

An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is currently available in our group. We welcome inquiries from interested candidates! Please contact cornellr@uw.edu with any questions.

Robert A. Cornell, PhD,

Professor and Graduate Program Director

Washington Research Foundation Endowed Professor in the Life Sciences

Department of Oral Health Sciences

1705 NE Pacific St, Ste. B224G

Univ of Washington, Box 357475

Seattle WA 98195-7475
 

Prospective students and postdocs please contact me!

cornellr@uw.edu