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Erika L. Matunis, Ph.D.

Headshot of Erika L. Matunis
  • Professor of Cell Biology

Research Interests

Molecular genetics of germ line stem cell function ...read more

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Erika Matunis - Using Genetics to Study Stem Cells

Background

Dr. Erika Matunis is a professor of cell biology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on how stem cells renew and differentiate. She uses the fruit fly testis as a model system, studying the molecular signals that control whether germ line stem cells form more stem cells or become sperm. Her team recently discovered that cells transitioning into sperm can be redirected back in to stem cells.

Her lab is currently investigating how spermatogonia reverse differentiation to become germ line stems cells again.

Dr. Matunis earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern University. She completed postdoctoral training at the Rockefeller University. She serves on the faculty senate at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

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Titles

  • Professor of Cell Biology

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

  • Ph.D.; Northwestern University (Illinois) (1992)
  • B.S.; Pacific Lutheran University (Washington) (1986)

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. Matunis studies the stem cells that sustain spermatogenesis in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to understand how signals from neighboring cells control stem cell renewal or differentiation. In the fruit fly testes, germ line stem cells attach to a cluster of non-dividing somatic cells called the hub. When a germ line stem cell divides, its daughter is pushed away from the hub and differentiates into a gonialblast. The germ line stem cells receive a signal from the hub that allows it to remain a stem cell, while the daughter displaced away from the hub loses the signal, and differentiates. Researchers in the Matunis lab have found key regulatory signals involved in this process.

Using genetic and genomic approaches, the Matunis lab continues to identify more genes that define the germ line stem cells' fate. She and her team are also investigating how spermatogonia reverse differentiation to become germ line stem cells again.

Selected Publications

View all on PubMed

Hetie P, de Cuevas M, Matunis E. "Conversion of quiescent niche cells to somatic stem cells causes ectopic niche formation in the Drosophila testis." Cell Rep. 2014 May 8;7(3):715-21. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.03.058. Epub 2014 Apr 18.

Stine RR, Matunis EL. "JAK-STAT signaling in stem cells." Adv Exp Med Biol. 2013;786:247-67. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-6621-1_14.

Stine RR, Matunis EL. "Stem cell competition: finding balance in the niche." Trends Cell Biol. 2013 Aug;23(8):357-64. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2013.03.001. Epub 2013 Apr 16. Review.

Matunis EL, Stine RR, de Cuevas M. "Recent advances in Drosophila male germline stem cell biology." Spermatogenesis. 2012 Jul 1;2(3):137-144.

Sinden D, Badgett M, Fry J, Jones T, Palmen R, Sheng X, Simmons A, Matunis E, Wawersik M. "Jak-STAT regulation of cyst stem cell development in the Drosophila testis." Dev Biol. 2012 Dec 1;372(1):5-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.09.009. Epub 2012 Sep 23.

Contact for Research Inquiries

Academic Affiliations & Courses

Graduate Program Affiliation

Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program

Activities & Honors

Professional Activities

  • Faculty Senate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
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