The environment plays a critical role in regulating embryonic development: External factors, such as oxygen levels and nutrient availability, are essential for the survival of embryonic cells. In addition, these factors also influence the cells’ metabolic state, which regulates cell proliferation, growth, signaling and epigenetics. However, how cells’ metabolic state is integrated with developmental processes, and whether it serves a regulatory function, remains largely unknown. During her postdoctoral research in the groups of Vikas Trivedi and Miki Ebisuya at EMBL Barcelona, Kristina Stapornwongkul investigated how the cell’s metabolic state can affect cell fate decisions. “Metabolism is not just background noise but affects cellular behavior – but how it does so is still largely unknown”, Stapornwongkul says.
Using stem-cell-based in vitro models for gastrulation, so-called gastruloids, Stapornwongkul showed that metabolic states influence key developmental signaling pathways and impact germ layer formation - in particular, glucose levels are instructive for cell fate decisions at gastrulation. Her work has provided new insights into the interplay between metabolism and signaling.
In her own lab at IMBA, Stapornwongkul will investigate how metabolism is integrated into developmental processes. “We will tackle fundamental questions such as: How does metabolism influence cell fate decisions? How robust are developmental processes, such as patterning and morphogenesis, to changes in the nutritional environment? And what is the energetic cost of morphogenesis?” says Stapornwongkul. To answer these questions, her team will develop new tools to map the spatial and temporal dynamics of metabolism and use human stem cell-derived models to study gastrulation and neural tube development.
Beyond her research, Stapornwongkul is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive lab environment where team members are encouraged to explore their scientific curiosity. Drawing from her own experiences with inspiring mentors, she aims to create a collaborative space that prioritizes both scientific excellence and personal growth. “For me, it's important to provide a positive and stimulating atmosphere where my team members feel supported in their careers—whether they choose to stay in academia or pursue other paths,” she says.
During her PhD with Jean-Paul Vincent at the Francis Crick Institute, Stapornwongkul engineered an artificial morphogen gradient in the wing of the fruit fly Drosophila – work for which she received multiple awards, including the Beddington Medal 2021 of the British Society for Developmental Biology, and the International Birnstiel Award awarded by the IMP, also located at the Vienna BioCenter.
Having visited the Vienna BioCenter several times over the past years, Stapornwongkul is looking forward to joining the campus and IMBA: “The Vienna BioCenter is an inspiring place: People are not only excited about their own research, but also about the science done in other groups, and are eager to interact closely at all levels. In addition, IMBA really cares about promoting young scientists. This is what you need to do good science.”
Stapornwongkul is currently recruiting PhD students, postdocs, and research technicians to join her team. If you're interested in metabolism, embryonic development, and interdisciplinary approaches combining genetic engineering, imaging, and computational modeling, keep an eye out for open positions.
Welcome to IMBA and the Vienna BioCenter, Kristina!