News
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
March 8, 2024
Celebrating International Women’s Day in the Fuchs Lab
March 7, 2024
Researchers find an epigenetic key that unlocks common deadly cancers
Retinoic acid, the active state of Vitamin A, appears to regulate how stem cells enter and exit a transient state central to their role in wound repair.
March 1, 2024
Hengrui Liu has been awarded the Kimberly Lawrence-Netter Fellowship in Cancer Research. Congratulations to our postdoc Hengrui Liu!
March 1, 2024
As a long-standing member of the Fuchs Lab, June Racelis has been officially promoted to Laboratory Manager position. Congratulations to June!
July 28, 2023
Researchers find an epigenetic key that unlocks common deadly cancers
Scientists have never fully understood how the doomed outcome [of becoming a deadly cancer] ensues at a molecular level. But now Rockefeller researchers have revealed the mechanisms behind this malignant turn of events.
April 24, 2023
Researchers reveal an ancient mechanism for wound repair
Rockefeller University: New research from the lab of Rockefeller’s Elaine Fuchs, published in Cell, reveals an alternative protective mechanism that responds to injury signals in wounded tissue—including low oxygen levels from blood vessel disruption and scab formation—and it doesn’t need an infection to get into gear.
January 26, 2023
Elaine Fuchs awarded Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
Al Dia: The Franklin Institute recently announced the nine recipients of the 2023 Franklin Institute Awards. These awards are given to individuals “for their extraordinary scientific, engineering, and business leadership achievements.”
January 25, 2023
Elaine Fuchs awarded Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
Rockefeller University: Rockefeller University biologist Elaine Fuchs has been awarded a 2023 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, one of the oldest and most most venerable honors in the United States.
January 3, 2023
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environments
Current Science Daily: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
December 2, 2022
Cancer stem cells use leptin to drive squamous cell carcinoma growth
BioWorld: Microenvironmental factors originating from RAS-mutated cancer stem cells stimulated an angiogenic feedback loop with the surrounding environment causing the expression of leptin and TGF-β receptors on the cancer stem cells. Most significantly, leptin and TGF-β signaling were required for malignant transformation.
December 1, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
NewsBeezer: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
December 1, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
ecancer: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
December 1, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
Technology Networks: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
December 1, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environments
Swift Telecast: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
November 30, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
ScienMag: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
November 30, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
Bioengineer.org: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
November 30, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
Eurekalert!: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
November 30, 2022
Cancer Stem Cells Are Fueled Through Dialogue With Their Environment
MedicalXpress: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
November 30, 2022
Stem cell crosstalk with the microenvironment creates a loop of tumor-promoting factors
News Medical Life Sciences: Researchers found that a single mutated gene in an otherwise healthy stem cell can kick off an increasingly deviant feedback loop of miscommunication between the cancerous stem cell and its surrounding tissue, fueling the development of a malignant tumor.
July 18, 2022
How the intestine replaces and repairs itself
Rockefeller University: A new study suggests that stem cells are able to integrate cues from their surroundings and coordinate their behavior across the tissue through networks of vasculature in their close vicinity.
May 4, 2022
Princeton to unveil a portrait of Elaine Fuchs *77
Mol Bio: Celebrate the unveiling of a portrait of Elaine Fuchs *77, one of several commissioned by Princeton University honoring individuals who have been preeminent in their respective fields, have excelled in the nation’s service and the service of humanity, and have made a significant contribution to Princeton’s culture.
December 22, 2021
Fuchs goes boldly where no stem cell biologist has gone before
ASBMB Today: Elaine Fuchs began her career with an act of rebellion, submitting a three-page essay on the inadequacies of the GRE in lieu of test results with her graduate school applications. Such breaks with tradition would come to define her approach to science.
November 29, 2021
Stem cell memories may drive wound repair—and chronic disease
Rockefeller University: Now, a new study demonstrates that, within their genetic material, these relocated stem cells retain memories of how to travel from the follicle to the skin’s surface, repair damaged skin, and finally adapt to their new home. These seasoned stem cells are largely indistinguishable from naive epidermal stem cells. But the new research, published in Science, suggests that they are primed to heal wounds faster and, after repeated wounds, may develop memories that could lead to chronic disease and cancer.
July 29, 2021
How cells draw on memories of past inflammation to respond to new threats
Science Daily: Now, a new study in Cell Stem Cell describes the mechanism behind inflammatory memory, also commonly referred to as trained immunity, and suggests that the phenomenon may be universal across diverse cell types.
September 2, 2020
How mechanical forces nudge tumors toward malignancy
Rockefeller University: All cancers are the result of cells that have gone haywire, multiplying out of control and expanding beyond their normal constraints. But not all tumors are the same: For reasons that remain poorly understood, some are more likely to become aggressive and metastasize to other parts of the body.
May 26, 2020
Cancer Stem Cells’ Reliance on a Key Amino Acid Could Be an Exploitable Weakness
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: A team of scientists at the Sloan Kettering Institute and The Rockefeller University has discovered that cancer stem cells rely on a steady external supply of the amino acid serine. This dependency makes them vulnerable to restrictions on this supply, a discovery that could potentially be exploited therapeutically.
May 12, 2020
Mice with patchy coats lay bare how stem cells endure
Rockefeller University: The findings give insight into some of the molecular missteps that may contribute to a permanent hair loss condition in humans called primary cicatricial alopecia, in which hair follicles disintegrate and are replaced by scar tissue, challenging conventional wisdom about the origins of this mysterious disorder.
April 2, 2020
Dr. Elaine Fuchs receives 2020 Canada Gairdner Award for her research and innovation in skin science
CosmeticsDesign.com: On Monday, the Gairdner Foundation announced this year’s laureates, 7 scientists whose original work in biomedical science has notably improved the understanding of human biology and disease.
March 31, 2020
Elaine Fuchs awarded 2020 Canada Gairdner International Award for Biomedical Science Rockefeller University: Elaine Fuchs, a world leader in the study of skin biology, has been named a 2020 recipient of the Canada Gairdner Award, one of the most prestigious international prizes in the biosciences. Fuchs, a renowned cell biologist, is being recognized for revealing the molecular mechanisms by which skin stem cells make and repair tissues.
March 31, 2020
How cells replace your skin’s outer layer
Futurity: Scientists have identified the mechanism that allows skin cells to sense changes in their environment, and very quickly respond to reinforce the skin’s outermost layer.
March 13, 2020
How skin cells embark on a swift yet elaborate death
Rockefeller University Newswire: Skin is our body’s most ardent defender against pathogens and other external threats. Its outermost layer is maintained through a remarkable transformation in which skin cells swiftly convert into squames—flat, dead cells that provide a tight seal between the living portion of the skin and the world outside.
November 5, 2019
Lymphatic system: new discovery could offer therapies for hair loss
Health Europa: New research has discovered how the lymphatic system could help metabolic syndrome, as well as a new component of tissue regeneration that might provide therapies for conditions such as hair loss.
November 25, 2019
The EACR’s Top 10 Cancer Research Publications: November 2019
The Cancer Researcher: The EACR’s Top 10 Cancer Research Publications is a regular summary of the most interesting and impactful recent papers in cancer research. It is curated by the Board of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR). One of these papers was generated by Dr. Phoenix Miao in Dr. Elaine Fuchs’ laboratory at The Rockefeller University.
November 1, 2019
A conversation with Elaine Fuchs
The Journal of Clinical Investigation: Cell biologist Elaine Fuchs of the Rockefeller University is best known for revolutionizing the molecular and genetic study of skin. Her research has shed light on dermatologic disorders and all aspects of skin growth and regeneration. Her more recent work in stem cell biology has revealed broad paradigms that regulate tissue regenerative stem cells across the body, and the mechanisms she has described have major ramifications in cancer and regenerative medicine.
November 1, 2019
Lymphatic System Found to Play Key Role in Hair Regeneration
The Rockefeller University: Until now, scientists were uncertain whether the stem cells themselves could instruct other stem cells to form new skin by reshaping their niche. But new research in Science, led by Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., of Rockefeller University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, indicates that stem cells can indeed influence tissue regeneration. The study identifies a molecular coordination tool used by stem cells to signal across niches.
May 15, 2019
Cellular rivalry promotes healthy skin development
In a recent study, described in Nature, Rockefeller scientists showed that skin cells in mice engage in two forms of competition, one taking place during early embryonic development and the other occurring just before birth. The researchers believe that this cutthroat cellular conflict is crucial to the cultivation of healthy skin.
April 25, 2019
Study pinpoints what causes relapse after cancer immunotherapy
Rockefeller University: In a recent study described in Cell, Miao and colleagues generated mice with a type of squamous cell carcinoma cancer that responds well to immunotherapy.
April 16, 2019
Distinguished scientists elected as Fellows and Foreign Members of the Royal Society
The Royal Society: Fifty-one eminent scientists have become Fellows of the Royal Society, as well as ten new Foreign Members and one Honorary Fellow for their exceptional contributions to science.
May 7, 2018
Pope appoints U.S. stem-cell biologist to science academy
CatholicPhilly.com: Pope Francis named a pioneering U.S. scientist specializing in stem-cell research to the Pontifical Academy for Sciences.
April 3, 2018
Stem cells in skin featured in distinguished lecture
Environmental Factor: Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., studies stem cells from mouse skin to understand normal skin biology. She shared her research during a NIEHS Distinguished Lecture Series talk on March 20. Carmen Williams, M.D., Ph.D., deputy chief of the NIEHS Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, hosted the seminar.
January 28, 2018
10 top science minds tell what strange new body part they’d like to have
NBC News: Evolution is hard to control — but what if you had a magic wand?
November 14, 2017
How skin cells learn to heal faster from inflammation
RegMedNet: GenScript: Injuries, whether they be direct or inflammation-causing instances, result in a “skin memory” that allows the skin to heal subsequent wounds faster. The skin’s stem cells, which are responsible for replenishing and maintaining the outer layer of skin cells, is first sensitized to inflammation with the initial injury/wound. Any subsequent wounds results in a faster response to healing by these same stem cells.
October 26, 2017
How skin cells learn to heal faster from inflammation
RegMedNet: RegMedNet: Researchers, led by Elaine Fuchs from The Rockefeller University (NY, USA), have discovered that skin epithelial stem cells (EpSCs) possess a prolonged memory to acute inflammation which facilitates faster wound recovery.
October 22, 2017
How skin cells learn to heal faster from inflammation
News Atlas: New research has found that stem cells residing in the skin can learn from earlier inflammatory episodes and heal faster when subsequently injured. This insight suggests a newly discovered relationship between inflammation and stem cells, and could have significant implications into how we understand not only skin conditions such as psoriasis, but a range of inflammatory disorders.
October 21, 2017
Our Skin Can ‘Remember’ Inflammation, And It Could Help Us Understand Psoriasis
Science Alert: Wounds, and even other harmful attacks that cause inflammation, are ‘remembered’ by stem cells in the skin, according to new research, and those ‘memories’ are used to heal our bodies faster the next time around.
October 18, 2017
Inflammation trains the skin to heal faster
ScienceDaily: Stem cells in the skin remember an injury, helping them close recurring wounds faster, researchers have found. The discovery could advance research and treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.
October 18, 2017
Inflammation trains the skin to heal faster
Rockefeller University Newswire: Scars may fade, but the skin remembers. New research from The Rockefeller University reveals that wounds or other harmful, inflammation-provoking experiences impart long-lasting memories to stem cells residing in the skin, teaching them to heal subsequent injuries faster.
April 26, 2017
A mechanism shared by healing wounds and growing tumors’ fate
Rockefeller University Newswire: Research at The Rockefeller University offers new insights about what the two processes have in common—and how they differ—at the molecular level. The findings, described April 20 in Cell, may aid in the development of new therapies for cancer.
February 2017
Elaine Fuchs visits IRB and CNIO in Spain during her Vallee Professorship Sabbatical.
January 26, 2017
NAM Member Elaine Fuchs Wins 2017 McEwen Award for Innovation
National Academy of Medicine: NAM member Elaine Fuchs, Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor, Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, has been honored with the 2017 McEwen Award for Innovation. The prize, given by the International Society for Stem Cell Research, recognizes original thinking and transformative, ground-breaking research pertaining to stem cells or regenerative medicine that opens new avenues of exploration towards the understanding or treatment of human disease or affliction.
May 26, 2016
Elaine Fuchs receives honorary degree from Harvard
Harvard News: Link to article
Getty Images: Link to photos
May 1, 2016
More Than Skin Deep
The Scientist: Elaine Fuchs has worked on adult stem cells since before they were so named, figuring out how multipotent epidermal cells renew or turn into skin or hair follicles.
January 15, 2016
Stem Cells: Molecular Signals That Stimulate Stem Cell Development Identified
HNGN: Although scientists know that stem cells work by repairing damaged cells and sometimes renewing normal ones, little is known about where they originate when the embryo is developing. Now, a team of scientists at The Rockefeller University have identified a mechanism that stimulates developing cells to become stem cells, which helps explain the communication process between cells as this happens and could shed light on potential skin cancer treatments.
November 4, 2015
Professor Elaine Fuchs receives the 2015 Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship
Merz: The internationally renowned cell biologist Elaine Fuchs will be awarded the Friedrich Merz Guest Professorship for 2015. The American Professor conducts research on adult stem cells and their significance for the skin and skin conditions at the Rockefeller University in New York. 2015 celebrates the 25th Guest Professorship for the fields of medicine and pharmacy to be awarded by Merz.
March 20, 2015
Scientists Pinpoint Gene Controlling Stem Cell Plasticity
Genetic, Engineering & Biotechnology News: Scientists at Rockefeller University say they have identified a protein, Sox9, that takes the lead in controlling the plasticity of stem cells. In a paper (“Pioneer factors govern super-enhancer dynamics in stem cell plasticity and lineage choice”) published in Nature, the team describes Sox9 as a “pioneer factor” that breaks ground for the activation of genes associated with stem cell identity in the hair follicle.
March 19, 2015
Scientists pinpoint molecule that switches on stem cell genes
EurekAlert: New research at Rockefeller University has identified a protein, Sox9, that takes the lead in controlling stem cell plasticity. In a paper published Wednesday (March 18) in Nature, the team describes Sox9 as a “pioneer factor” that breaks ground for the activation of genes associated with stem cell identity in the hair follicle.
March 12, 2015
TGF-β Signals Can Influence Melanoma Cells’ Vulnerability To Drugs
Melanoma News Today: The research group led by Dr. Naoki Oshimori focused on squamous cell carcinomas in mice skin. The stem cells that synthesize squamous cell tumors can be categorized as those that divide and proliferate quickly and those that do so more slowly. This led researchers to wonder whether more dormant stem cells in a tumor might get away from cancer drugs. To evaluate this phenomenon, researchers focused on TGF-β (that restricts growth in several healthy tissues) to understand how it can both suppress cancer cells and promote them, as supported by previous research.
March 4, 2015
TGF-β is a Key Driver of Tumor Heterogeneity, Drug Resistance in Lung & Other Cancers
Lung Cancer News: Researchers at The Rockefeller University discovered TGF-β is a key driver of tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. Their findings will potentially lead to new therapeutics for a variety of cancers, including lung cancer. The study was published in the journal Cell.
July 10, 2014
Snapshots of Life: Portrait of Skin Cancer
NIH Director’s Blog: Dr. Francis Collins discusses the work of Markus Schober and his captivating microscopy images on squamous cell carcinoma during his postdoctoral period in the Fuchs lab.
March 11, 2014
Pezcoller Foundation and AACR honor outstanding achievements of Dr. Elaine Fuchs
EurekAlert: Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., will receive the 2014 Pezcoller Foundation-American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) International Award for Cancer Research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2014, to be held in San Diego, Calif., April 5-9, in recognition of her seminal work contributing to the understanding of mammalian skin, skin stem cells, and skin-related diseases, particularly cancers, genetic diseases, and proinflammatory disorders.
June 1, 2012
Boosting Science Role Models: Elaine Fuchs and Lisa P. Jackson join the 2012 World Science Festival.
World Science Festival: Pioneers in Science features two highly esteemed scientists, geneticist Elaine Fuchs and chemical engineer Lisa P. Jackson, both personally recognized by President Obama for their contributions to their fields.
June 7, 2012
There’s no comfortable route for a scientist
World Science Festival: Elaine Fuchs’ has endured obstacles during her life as a female scientist. She has, however, proved to be very successful and is renown for pioneering the field of reverse genetics. In both an article and video format, World Science Festival blogs about Dr. Fuchs early career as a scientist and the many accolades bestowed on her.
May 15, 2012
An Interview With Elaine Fuchs
Nature: The 2012 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology has been jointly awarded to Elaine Fuchs, of the Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and to Howard Green, of Harvard Medical School, for their pioneering research on the molecular workings of skin stem cells and inherited skin disorders. The prize recognizes researchers whose work has contributed to our understanding of the science that underlies birth defects.
May 10, 2012
Video of 2012 Women & Science Luncheon at Rockefeller University
February 29, 2012
March of Dimes Awards $250,000 Prize to Two Scientists Who Pioneered Advances in Skin Disorders
March of Dimes: Two scientists who have revolutionized the understanding of skin biology, creating crucial advances in treating skin cancers and other diseases as well as severe burns, have been chosen to receive the 2012 March of Dimes Prize in Developmental Biology.
March 16, 2011
Elaine Fuchs Honored with Albany Medical Center
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March 11, 2011
Elaine Fuchs to receive 2011 Passano Award
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May 4, 2010
A Kaleidoscope view
HHMI: Elaine Fuchs brings an eye for the creative to the many-colored facets of her life and work.
March 4, 2010
Elaine Fuchs receives L’Oreal-UNESCO award
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December 9, 2009
Biosights Video: Elaine Fuchs: A Love for Science That’s More Than Skin Deep
September 17, 2009
Elaine Fuchs receives National Medal of Science
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- President Obama Awards National Medal of Science and Medal of Technology
- Elaine Fuchs – National Medal of Science
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- HHMI NEWS
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- JCB: Elaine Fuchs: A love for science that’s more than skin deep…
- Princeton Alumni Weekly
March 25, 2009
Skin biology illuminates how stem cells operate
Physorg.com: Elaine Fuchs studies how skin stem cells turn into either skin or hair follicles.
March 12, 2008
Making the paper: Elaine Fuchs
Nature: RNA fragments in skin provide a fine degree of control.
September 4, 2007
Protecting the skin, the body’s fragile armor
New York Times: Skin merits designation as an organ and should be regarded scientifically as a serious body part.
February 13, 2007
Mice cloned from skin stem cells
BBC News: US researchers have cloned healthy mice from skin cells for the first time.
September 3, 2004
Stem Cells Renew Hope for Fading Hair Follicles
HHMI News: Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have isolated stem cells from the skin of mice and shown that they have the power to self-renew and differentiate into skin and functioning hair follicles when grafted onto mice.
September 3, 2004
Fur-Replacement Therapy
SCIENCE: A tuft of fur on the back of a hairless mouse may signal new hope for baldness sufferers and burn victims.
September 2, 2004
Hair-raising stem cells confirmed in mouse skin
Nature: Finding may lead to better burns and baldness treatments.
September 2, 2004
Hair-raising stem cells confirmed in mouse skin
NATURE: Adult mouse skin contains stem cells that can generate skin and hair. Although the result has been hinted at before, the latest work is the first to prove that the cells are true stem cells, with the capacity to form new tissues. It’s hoped the discovery will lead to treatments for baldness and burns.
December 12, 2003
New method of identifying and isolating stem cells developed
HUM-MOLGEN – Genetic News: Cells may help researchers in skin and hair therapies; tool can be used to find other body stem cells, including cancer stem cells.
March 20, 2003
Key to controlling hair growth discovered
SCIENCE: The process that controls hair formation has been identified by U.S. scientists, giving new hope to people with too little in the right place or too much in the wrong place.
March 20, 2003
Hair secrets shed light on cancer
BBC: Scientists have uncovered the subtle chemical signals that stimulate the production of hairs.
March 19, 2003
Scientists go to the root of hair growth
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL: In a solution to a hairy puzzle that might be at the root of conditions ranging from baldness to cancer, Rockefeller University scientists in New York City have traced the path by which skin turns to hair.
Winter 2003
Skin and Hair: Means to a genetic end
Skin and hair proteins fascinate Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D.,who heads the university#s Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development.