Carsten Gram Hansen studies the cellular functions regulated by and of the Hippo Pathway Dr Carsten Gram Hansen Reader Centre for Inflammation Research Contact details Website: Academic Profile Social media: External twitter account Website: Gram Hansen personal website Work: +44 (0)131 242 6659 Email: Carsten.G.Hansen@ed.ac.uk Group MembersRichard Cunningham - Postdoctoral Researcher (email)Nancy Hui - PhD student (email)Siyang Jia - PhD student (email)Michaela Noskova - PhD student (email)Marcin Maniak - PhD student (email)BackgroundCellular proliferation and differentiation needs to be tightly regulated to maintain tissue mass and homeostasis and if this regulation is lost cellular overgrowth and cancer occurs. In addition, this regulation also needs to be dynamically regulated throughout development and in regenerative processes. In recent years the Hippo pathway has been elucidated as a potent regulator in these processes, where it functions as a nexus and signal integrator of diverse cellular signals. The core components of the Hippo pathway comprise a regulatory serine–threonine kinase module and a transcriptional module. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are the major downstream effectors in this transcriptional module where they predominantly bind to and regulate the activity of the TEAD family of transcription factors. YAP/TAZ therefore coordinates regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and correct regulations of YAP/TAZ is therefore essential to maintain tissue mass and homeostasis.Research OverviewRecently, the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of the Hippo pathway has become a major focus, especially in cancer biology and regenerative medicine. Understanding the chief biological output of the Hippo pathway centers on Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding domain (TAZ), which are the prime mediators of the Hippo pathway. When they are active they shuttle to the nucleus and bind to and activate their cognate transcription factors. A wealth of cellular regulators have been identified, but how the dynamic subcellular regulation of the core players takes plays is not well understood. In addition we will seek to understand the biological role of the Hippo pathway in biological processes important for human health with a focus on regeneration, inflammation and cancer.We utilize live cell and in vivo imaging in both mammalian cell culture and the Zebrafish in combination with genome editing, biochemistry and gene expression analyses to address these questions.The following PDF provides a brief visual summary of this group’s current research. Document Hansen Group graphic summary (264.86 KB / PDF) You can view a full catalogue of graphical research summaries for each group in the Centre for Inflammation Research by visiting our Research page.Visit CIR’s Research pageBiographical ProfileRESEARCH2024-Present Reader; CIR and IRR, University of Edinburgh2022-2024 Senior Lecturer; CIR and IRR, University of Edinburgh2015-2022 Chancellor’s Fellow; CIR, University of Edinburgh 2012-2015 Post Doc in Kun-Liang Guan's lab; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, UCSD2010-2012 Post Doc in Ben Nichols’ lab; MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UKEDUCATION2006-2010 PhD in Molecular Biology; Ben Nichols’ lab, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, UK2000-2006 MSc in Molecular Biology; Aarhus University, DenmarkHonours and AwardsSelected2015 Chancellor’s Fellowship, University of Edinburgh2012-2014 FNU, two-years Post Doc fellowship from the Danish Science Ministry2012 EMBO Long Term Fellowship (awarded, but declined)2012 Carlsberg Fellowship (awarded, but declined)2010-2012 Lundbeck Foundation, Post Doc FellowshipAlumniDr Krishna Purohit (2020-2024)Zenuida Mortuza (MScR), 1st rotation (2023-2024) obtained a distinctionDr Susanna Riley (2018 - 2023) now a Post Doc in EdinburghDr Lisa Kölln - now a scientist in GermanyJon Corres (MScR) 2nd project, 2020; obtained overall a Distinction, now a PhD student in SpainTamara Hussein (Honours)Siyang Jia (MScR, currently undertaking a PhD with us)Yue Lin - (MScR) 2nd project, 2022, went on to pursue a PhD in Leicester Duncan Maclean (Honours)Josh Martin (MScR) 2nd project, 2020; obtained overall a Distinction, now a PhD student in LondonDr Jiwon Park (2017-2021)Dr Valentina RauschEmelie Shepherd (MScR), 2019-2020Shijia Xia - (MScR) 2nd project (distinction), 2022; currently undertaking a PhD in Hong Kong at the Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyDr Omar Salem - (MScR) distinction, PhD and PostDoc (2016-2022). Now a Scientist in Cambridge Go to the Edinburgh Research Explorer Sources of FundingWorldwide Cancer ResearchThe June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund More information on funding at Carsten Gram Hansen's Research Explorer profile. This article was published on 2024-09-10