Jackson Laboratory

The Pera Lab

Principal Investigator: Martin Pera, Ph.D.

The Jackson Laboratory
Bar Harbor, ME

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Human pluripotent stem cells and the human embryo: Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) have opened up a previously inaccessible phase of the human life cycle to experimental study.

Our laboratory has two main areas of research. We use human pluripotent stem cells to study extrinsic factors that regulate self-renewal, pluripotency and lineage specification during early human development. We also carry out functional genomic analyses in human and mouse pluripotent stem cells to identify genetic factors that influence regeneration and repair in the central nervous system. We are very pleased to be collaborating with the Nishina laboratory on a study of the genetics of macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in the aging population.

Full Scientific Report

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is looking to fill a contract position for an Editorial Assistant for Stem Cell Reports, the official journal of the ISSCR. This position will provide administrative assistance to the Editor in Chief Professor Martin Pera and work closely with the Managing Editor.

See full job posting here

Announcements

July 04, 2017

New Pera Lab Staff

Research HighlightJanuary 04, 2018
The state of the science in culturing totipotent stem cells
A review in the journal Cell Stem Cells by two JAX scientists reports on the latest efforts to isolate and culture the elusive populations of stem cells that most closely resemble very early (two-cell stage) totipotent cells.
Research HighlightAugust 22, 2016
High-throughput analysis of single cells reveals cell-to-cell differences
Researchers describe an automated, high-throughput platform that allows simultaneous investigation of genotype, gene expression and DNA methylation at multiple locations in the genomes of single cells.
- Stem cells
- Genetics and Genomics
Press ReleaseJune 06, 2016
William Skarnes to lead cellular engineering at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine
William Skarnes, Ph.D., an expert in stem cell engineering who began his career studying mouse developmental genetics, has been appointed director of cellular engineering at JAX.
Blog PostSeptember 14, 2015
Mouse research in space: We are getting there!
Learn how mouse research was conducted during the Space Shuttle Program era and the advantages of having a Rodent Research Facility in the ISS. Recent advances bring great promise to protect astronauts and people with serious health conditions on Earth.

Research HighlightDecember 13, 2016
The aging immune system and loss of adaptive immune response
Using mice spanning a spectrum of ages, a Jackson Laboratory research team led by Assistant Professor Jennifer Trowbridge, Ph.D., investigated changes in the maturation process of hematopoietic stem cells over time.
- Aging
- Stem cells
- Immunology
- Aging
Press ReleaseAugust 15, 2016
Stem cell expert Martin Pera joins faculty
Martin F. Pera, Ph.D., is a leading stem cell researcher with interests in neuroscience and regenerative medicine. He will join The Jackson Laboratory in January 2017.
eNewsApril 12, 2016
NK cell-mediated killing of Leukemia in humanized NSG mice
A preclinical study published in December 2015 (Ruggeri et al., 2015) using humanized NSG mice demonstrates that an anti-NKG2A antibody can trigger NK cell-mediated killing of lymphoid and myeloid leukemias in vivo. The antibody blocks the “self” inhibitory signal produced when NKG2A receptors on human NK cells bind to their cognate ligand on cancer cells and stimulates the NK cells to destroy the cancer. The research demonstrates how humanized mice are used to evaluate immuno-oncology therapeutic efficacy, and provides hope for leukemia patients whose cancers are refractory to haploidentical stem cell transplantation therapy.
Blog PostAugust 26, 2015
Five Terms You Need to Know about Cell Therapies for Cancer
Researchers are finding new ways to boost the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. If you are new to Immuno-Oncology, here are the 5 terms you need to know to catch up on what’s going on in this very exciting field.

Lab Staff

Nurten Akturk

Research Assistant II
Kevin Hayes

Postbaccalaureate Intern

I work with human Embryonic Stem Cells as a model for understanding the molecular basis of self-renewal and differentiation in early, pluripotent embryos.
Tracy McGarr, M.S.

Research Assistant III

My primary research interest is in stem cell research.
Martin Pera, Ph.D.

Professor

The extrinsic regulation of self-renewal and lineage specification of human pluripotent stem cells. The genetic basis for individual variation in the response of the central nervous system to injury.
Daniel Cortes-Perez, M.D., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

Stem cell biology and neural differentiation to study neurological diseases and aging using genetic approaches. Axonal repair, neurotrophic factors and DYRK1a are also of interest
Chien-Yu Tung

Research Assistant III

My primary research interests are in stem cell research, immunology, and antibodies.
Michelle White

Research Administrative Assistant

I work as an Research Administrative Assistant for the Trowbridge, Carter, Braun, Lu & Pera labs.

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Open Positions

Job	Job Title	Location	Description

Selected Publications

View full list of publications