Pulin Li

Mechanistic tradeoffs between local and long-range signaling activity in natural and synthetic morphogens

The paper investigates how lipid modifications affect Hedgehog morphogen signaling and gradient formation, revealing a tradeoff between local enrichment and long-range diffusion.

Reconstructing signaling histories of single cells via perturbation screens and transfer learning

The paper develops a framework combining perturbation screens and transfer learning to reconstruct signaling histories in cells and optimize differentiation protocols.

Hormone oscillations preserve responsiveness and cross-cell-type coordination of endocrine signaling

This study shows that hormone oscillations maintain cellular responsiveness and coordination across cell types by allowing receptor resensitization and buffering kinetic variation.

Early Pitx2 modulation of Fgf10 directs asymmetric lung morphology

This study identifies Fgf10 as a Pitx2-sensitive signal that drives asymmetric lung growth by modulating epithelial proliferation during early lung development.

A tissue-scale strategy for sensing threats in barrier organs

The paper uses single-molecule imaging and spatial transcriptomics to show a spatially graded threat-sensing strategy in lung tissue during influenza infection, with higher PRR expression in inner stroma leading to more potent immune responses.

Integrative vasculogenesis unifies distinct endothelial sources in the developing lung

The paper identifies a mesenchymal progenitor population in the developing mouse lung that generates endothelial cells through integrative vasculogenesis, distinct from classical vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.

Synthetic reconstitution of planar polarity initiation reveals collective migration as a symmetry-breaking cue

The paper reconstitutes planar polarity initiation in an engineered epithelial system, showing collective migration breaks symmetry and drives polarity across scales.

Diffusion barriers imposed by tissue topology shape morphogen gradients

The paper shows SCUBE1 expands Hedgehog gradients by enabling transient diffusion through cell gaps, revealing a topology-limited diffusion mechanism for morphogen signaling.

A Scube2-Shh feedback loop links morphogen release and spread to morphogen signaling to enable scale invariant patterning of the ventral neural tube

The paper shows that Scube2 and Shh form a feedback loop that enables the Shh morphogen gradient to scale with tissue size in the ventral neural tube.

Lhx2 is a progenitor-intrinsic modulator of Sonic Hedgehog signaling during early retinal neurogenesis

This study shows Lhx2 modulates Sonic Hedgehog signaling in retinal progenitors through direct and indirect regulation of pathway components, establishing competence for signaling during early neurogenesis.

Specific Oxylipins Enhance Vertebrate Hematopoiesis via the Receptor GPR132

The paper identifies GPR132 as a specific receptor for certain oxylipins that enhance hematopoiesis in vertebrates, using bioinformatics and functional assays.