Gernot Walko

FAQ About Gernot Walko

• What is Gernot Walko's address?

  Gernot Walko is located at
  Bath, Bath, United Kingdom

• What is Gernot Walko's job title?

  Gernot Walko is a
  My group’s research aims at understanding how the stem cell state in human squamous epithelia is maintained throughout adult life, how squamous epithelial stem cells contribute to tissue regeneration, and what happens if we develop squamous cancers. Long term maintenance of the epidermal stem cell state ex vivo: Trauma, disease or ageing induce tissue damage, which requires the activation of regenerative responses to restore organ function. Constant regeneration and repair of human skin epidermis is endowed by long-lived stem cells. Autologous cultures of human epidermal cells (keratinocytes) have long been used to prepare grafts to permanently restore massive epidermal defects in patients suffering from severe burn wounds or hereditary skin blistering diseases. Strikingly, the long-term clinical success of human keratinocyte cultures relies on a defined number of stem cells, and premature stem cell depletion and replicative senescence make ex vivo gene therapy particularly cumbersome and sometimes not feasable. How human epidermal stem cells can be maintained long-term ex vivo is therefore a key research question in my group. Keratinocyte cancer research: Keratinocyte cancers originate from squamous epithelial stem cells. They are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in humans world-wide. There is ample evidence that keratinocyte cancer stem cells hijack the homeostatic controls that operate in normal stem cells, eliminating those that inhibit differentiation and upregulating those that exert a positive effect on proliferation. The two closely related transcriptional co-regulator proteins YAP and TAZ have emerged as essential squamous epithelial stemness regulators that balance proliferation and terminal differentiation commitment. Importantly, YAP/TAZ are upregulated and often hyper-active in keratinocyte cancers, where the cancer cells exploit YAP/TAZ’s functions to sustain uncontrolled proliferation and to maintain an undifferentiated stem-like cell state. How YAP/TAZ control gene expression in the nucleus represents a largely unexplored but promising area to design new modalities of therapeutic anti-cancer interventions. Using multi-omics approaches in combination with genetic gain- and loss-of-function studies in 2D and 3D cell culture systems and zebrafish embryo xenograft models, we are exploring the molecular mechanisms by which YAP and TAZ select their downstream transcriptional programmes and transcriptional partners in normal versus neoplastic epidermal cells, and how YAP/TAZ are regulated inside the nucleus. University Of Bath

• What industry does Gernot Walko currently work in?

  Gernot Walko currently works in the
  University Of Bath

• What is Gernot Walko's area of expertise?

  Gernot Walko specializes in
  My group’s research aims at understanding how the stem cell state in human squamous epithelia is maintained throughout adult life, how squamous epithelial stem cells contribute to tissue regeneration, and what happens if we develop squamous cancers. Long term maintenance of the epidermal stem cell state ex vivo: Trauma, disease or ageing induce tissue damage, which requires the activation of regenerative responses to restore organ function. Constant regeneration and repair of human skin epidermis is endowed by long-lived stem cells. Autologous cultures of human epidermal cells (keratinocytes) have long been used to prepare grafts to permanently restore massive epidermal defects in patients suffering from severe burn wounds or hereditary skin blistering diseases. Strikingly, the long-term clinical success of human keratinocyte cultures relies on a defined number of stem cells, and premature stem cell depletion and replicative senescence make ex vivo gene therapy particularly cumbersome and sometimes not feasable. How human epidermal stem cells can be maintained long-term ex vivo is therefore a key research question in my group. Keratinocyte cancer research: Keratinocyte cancers originate from squamous epithelial stem cells. They are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in humans world-wide. There is ample evidence that keratinocyte cancer stem cells hijack the homeostatic controls that operate in normal stem cells, eliminating those that inhibit differentiation and upregulating those that exert a positive effect on proliferation. The two closely related transcriptional co-regulator proteins YAP and TAZ have emerged as essential squamous epithelial stemness regulators that balance proliferation and terminal differentiation commitment. Importantly, YAP/TAZ are upregulated and often hyper-active in keratinocyte cancers, where the cancer cells exploit YAP/TAZ’s functions to sustain uncontrolled proliferation and to maintain an undifferentiated stem-like cell state. How YAP/TAZ control gene expression in the nucleus represents a largely unexplored but promising area to design new modalities of therapeutic anti-cancer interventions. Using multi-omics approaches in combination with genetic gain- and loss-of-function studies in 2D and 3D cell culture systems and zebrafish embryo xenograft models, we are exploring the molecular mechanisms by which YAP and TAZ select their downstream transcriptional programmes and transcriptional partners in normal versus neoplastic epidermal cells, and how YAP/TAZ are regulated inside the nucleus.

• Which languages does Gernot Walko speak? 

  Gernot Walko speaks the following languages:
  No languages available.

• Which industries has Gernot Walko previously worked in?   

  Gernot Walko has prior experience in the following industries:
  University Of Bath , Queen Mary University Of London , University Of Bath , Kings College London , Institute Of Biochemistry And Cell Biology Max F Perutz Laboratories University Of Vienna , Institute Of Biochemistry And Cell Biology Max F Perutz Laboratories University Of Vienna

• What is Gernot Walko’s work experience?  

  Gernot Walko has the following professional experience:
  University Of Bath , Queen Mary University Of London , University Of Bath , Queen Mary University Of London , University Of Bath , Kings College London , Institute Of Biochemistry And Cell Biology Max F Perutz Laboratories University Of Vienna , Institute Of Biochemistry And Cell Biology Max F Perutz Laboratories University Of Vienna .

• How can I find Gernot Walko on LinkedIn?  

  You can view Gernot Walko’s
  LinkedIn profile at LinkedIn URL.

• What are Gernot Walko’s work email addresses?  

  Gernot Walko’s work email addresses are
  [email protected].

• What company does Gernot Walko work for?  

  Gernot Walko works at
  University Of Bath