STACHURA LABORATORY
Founded in 2014 by David Stachura, the Stachura Laboratory is located at California State University, Chico (Chico State). We are dedicated to understanding blood and immune cell formation, differentiation, and proliferation in order to treat diseases such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukemia. We perform our research in zebrafish (Danio rerio), which are an excellent model system for visualizing blood cell development and for performing genetic and drug screens. Zebrafish have an immune system similar to mammals, allowing us to understand how this complex system evolved over the past 400+ million years.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Hematopoiesis and Immunity
Research in David Stachura's Laboratory focuses primarily on hematopoiesis (blood cell production). Every day, an adult human produces billions of new blood cells to replace ones that are constantly dying. This tightly orchestrated cellular regeneration all depends on specialized adult stem cells called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). These cells are generated when you are just an embryo, and survive in your bone marrow for your entire life. They have the ability to not only make copies of themselves, but also to differentiate into the multitude of blood and immune cells, all of which have specific, essential functions in your body.
GENE DISCOVERY
We are investigating genes discovered by RNA sequencing and forward genetic screens likely involved in hematopoiesis and immune function with morpholino and CRISPR technology.
LABORATORY MEMBERS
DAVID STACHURA, PHD
Professor and Principal Investigator
CONTACT US
Department of Biological Sciences
Holt Hall
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA, 95929
530-898-4748
