What genetic and epigenetic programs guide a stem cell to choose its fate—and can we rewrite those instructions? How do tissues know when to grow, when to stop, and how to organize themselves in space? And when disease or injury disrupts those systems, how can we restore them? At JAX, we tackle these questions across developmental biology, stem cell biology, reproductive biology, and regenerative medicine. Our researchers study how cells maintain pluripotency and commit to specific lineages, explore stem cell populations in healthy and diseased tissues, and investigate how germ cells develop and how tissues repair themselves.
We pair this foundational science with platforms designed to move discoveries forward: humanized mouse models, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), biomimetic tissue engineering, and advanced single-cell, spatial, and computational tools. Together, these approaches are helping reveal how biological systems are built, maintained, and repaired—and how those processes can be harnessed to improve human health.
The number of cells in the human body, all descended from a single fertilized egg
principal investigators across three JAX campuses
in active NIH funding for stem cell and developmental biology research at JAX
JAX has more than 700 iPSC lines spanning dozens of disease areas
Through advanced technologies and strategic partnerships, JAX is laying the groundwork for new treatments that repair damaged tissues, model complex diseases, and improve human health. By integrating stem cell biology with genomics, computational tools, and advanced models, JAX researchers are building a comprehensive view of development and regeneration — informing new strategies to treat disease and restore function.
"At most institutions, fundamental discovery and the platforms to translate it exist in separate worlds – at JAX, they are in the same world, and that integration is what will make this group transformative."
– Jennifer Trowbridge, Ph.D. | Chair of Stem Cells & Developmental Biology, JAX Professor and Dattels Family Chair
By rapidly testing hundreds of thousands of DNA sequences, scientists have identified specific genetic variations that contribute to blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and more.
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To better understand diseases that develop toward the end of life, Lauren Kuffler looks at the beginning.
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How JAX scientists are using stem cells to build better models, faster insights and smarter treatments.
View moreA new stem cell–based platform developed at JAX is shedding light on one of the biggest mysteries in genetics: why the same disease-causing mutation can affect people in dramatically different ways—from severe symptoms to no symptoms at all. Developed by Professor Martin Pera, the platform uses iPSCs from eight genetically distinct strains of mice. The breakthrough allows scientists to grow brain cells reliably from each strain, a major technical advance that opens the door to studying many other disease-linked genes in a more realistic and scalable way.
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The Jackson Laboratory’s acquisition of the New York Stem Cell Foundation unites complementary strengths across mouse, cell, and computational models.
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As your premier rare disease research partner, the RDTC serves those with rare disease by providing an efficient path from diagnosis to therapy.
The JAX Center for Aging Research's long-term goal is to build a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms at work in lifespan and health span.
View moreFunctional dissection of complex trait variants at single-nucleotide resolution. Nature. (2026).
Leveraging tissue-resident memory T cells for non-invasive immune monitoring via microneedle skin patches. Nature. (2026).
Epigenetic reactivation of the tumor suppressor ZBTB7A by KDM4 inhibition in human acute myeloid leukemia. Science Translational Medicine. (2026)
Improving rigor and reproducibility through implementation of the ISSCR standards for human stem cell use in research. Stem Cell Reports. (2026).
GPR156 is required in sensory hair cells for proper auditory and vestibular function. Scientific Reports. (2026).
JAX research extends far beyond any single disease area. Just a few of the diseases and disorders being researched at JAX are:
Self-paced online learning in genetics and genomics experts at JAX, designed for undergrads, graduate students, postdocs and research staff.
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List of courses, conferences, webinars and workshops at The Jackson Laboratory.
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