Seung K. Kim, MD, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology and Medicine (Oncology)

Vertebrate organ development requires mechanisms to establish an integrated, stereotyped tissue pattern from multiple distinct cellular components. Many vital organs derive from the endodermal and mesodermal germ layers to form the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, yet little is known about the genetic programs that coordinate steps culminating in proper organ morphogenesis and axial position, cell differentiation and physiologic function. Our goal is to identify and understand the pathways that govern organogenesis of the pancreas, a vital organ with endocrine and exocrine functions.

We are using Drosophila, chicks, and mice, organisms accessible to embryological, genetic and molecular methods, to identify cell interactions and signaling pathways that regulate early steps in pancreas development. Some of the pathways active during ontogeny also regulate pancreatic growth during adulthood, and we are studying the role of these genetic pathways in growth control and function of the mature pancreas in mice. Signaling errors in these pathways may promote pathogenesis of human pancreatic disease states, including diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer. We have recently used embryonic stem (ES) cells to develop an in vitro model of islet development. We plan to use our understanding of embryonic pancreatic development and ES cell-derived materials to establish novel strategies for islet cell replacement in type I diabetes mellitus.