My current research involves isolating new types of stem cells to be used in therapeutic applications.  Spermatogonial stem cells are found in the seminiferous tubules in the testis and have been shown to have multipotent capabilities.  Isolating a new stem cell line from these male germline cells is one goal of my research.  Dedifferentiating somatic cells is another way to achieve a multipotent progenitor.  Epithelial cells that are permeabilized and incubated with the cytoplasmic protein extract of an embryonic stem cell like carcinoma are reprogrammed and begin to express many stem cell specific genes and proteins.  My goal is to dedifferentiate adult cells and proceed with directed differentiation to a cell type that can be used in a cell-based therapy.