Litao Tao

A comparative single-cell transcriptomic atlas for diverse populations of vertebrate hair cells

The paper constructs a cross-species single-cell transcriptomic atlas of hair cells across multiple vertebrates and identifies conserved and species-specific gene expression programs.

A Universal 6iL/E4 Culture System for Deriving and Maintaining Embryonic Stem Cells Across Mammalian Species

The paper develops a serum-free 6iL/E4 culture system that enables derivation and maintenance of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) across multiple mammalian species, revealing conserved mechanisms for ESC self-renewal.

Live imaging and multimodal profiling reveal transdifferentiation of a cochlear supporting cell subpopulation upon Notch inhibition

The paper identifies a rare subpopulation of cochlear supporting cells that transdifferentiate into hair cells upon Notch inhibition, revealing epigenetic and transcriptional changes associated with this process.

The Dual Molecular Identity of Vestibular Kinocilia: Bridging Structural and Functional Traits of Primary and Motile Cilia

The paper identifies the kinocilium as a unique organelle with molecular features of both primary and motile cilia, showing it generates force in the hair bundle.

Inducible, virus-free direct lineage reprogramming enhances scalable generation of human inner ear hair cell-like cells

This study develops a virus-free, inducible system to generate human inner ear hair cell-like cells from iPS cells, achieving higher efficiency and faster conversion than viral methods.

Hair Bundle Degeneration is a Key Contributor to Age-Related Vestibular Dysfunction

The paper identifies age-related molecular and cellular changes in vestibular hair cells that contribute to vestibular dysfunction by impairing mechanotransduction and hair bundle integrity.

Genome-wide DNA methylation and multi-omics study of human chondrocyte ontogeny and an epigenetic clock analysis of adult chondrocytes

This study examines DNA methylation changes in human chondrocytes across ontogeny and develops an epigenetic clock showing STAT3 agonist reduces epigenetic age in aged chondrocytes.