How do you build an organ? The Li lab is interested in how cellular diversity and patterning arise in developing organs. For example, endothelial cells, which form the lining of the blood vessels, adopt different functions and patterns depending on the organ they vascularize.  

Pictured is the intestine of a mouse nearing full development. Epithelial cells lining the intestine (white) fold into nutrient absorption zones, forming rugged edges inside the coiled tube. Endothelial cells (magenta, yellow) are poised for nutrient absorption, branching from major vessels to surround the intestinal tube in a dense mesh.