Clevers group

Lgr5 stem cells, Wnt signaling & cancer

Originally focused on T lymphocyte transcription factors, we cloned Tcf1 in 1991. With the discovery that Tcf factors are the final effectors of Wnt signaling, we changed our interests to the biology of Wnt signaling in intestinal self-renewal and cancer.  We identified a series of adult tissue stem cells with the novel Lgr5 marker, currently our major focus of research.  For a more detailed overview, click here.

About the research

Fast Facts: Gut feeling and science from Fast Facts on Vimeo.

Key publications (5 recent)
de Lau, W., Barker, N., .. and Clevers, H. Lgr5 homologues associate with Wnt receptors and mediate R-spondin signalling.
Nature 476: 293-297 (2011)

Snippert, .J., van der Flier, L.G.,... Simons, B.D. and Clevers, H. Intestinal Crypt Homeostasis results from Neutral Competition between Symmetrically Dividing Lgr5 Stem Cells.
Cell 143:134-44 (2010)

Sato, T., van Es, J.H., Snippert, H.J., Stange, D.E., Vries, R.G., van den Born, M., Barker, N., Shroyer, N.F., van de Wetering, M., Clevers, H. Paneth cells constitute the niche for Lgr5 stem cells in intestinal crypts.
Nature 469: 415-418 (2010)

Sato, T., Vries, R., Snippert, H., van de Wetering, M., Barker, N., Stange, D., van Es, J., Abo, A., Kujala, P., Peters, P., Clevers, H. Single lgr5 gut stem cells build crypt-villus structures in vitro without a stromal niche 459(7244):262-5
Nature 459 : 262-265 (2009)

Barker, N., van Es, J.H., Kuipers, J., Kujala, P., van den Born, M., Cozijnsen, M., Korving, J., Begthel, H., Peters, P.C., Clevers, H. Identification of stem cells in small intestine and colon by a marker gene LGR5. Nature 449: 1003-1007 (2007)

Publication list