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Biography

I am a cell, developmental and cancer biologist with nearly two decades of cross-disciplinary training across diverse mammalian epithelial systems, including the retina, cerebellum, epidermis and oral epithelia. The researchers in my lab—comprising two post-docs, one graduate student, one post-bac, and two undergraduates—are broadly interested in barrier epithelial development and disease. The overarching goal of my lab at UNC for the past ten years has been to discover the molecular mechanisms that control the balance between self-renewing and differentiative divisions during development, homeostasis, wound healing, and in diseases such as cancer, using the skin epidermis and oral epithelia as our main model systems.
Tissue development, homeostasis and regeneration depend on the precise coordination of self-renewal and differentiation programs. A critical point of regulation of this balance is at the level of cell division. Stem and progenitor cells can divide symmetrically to favor self-renewal or asymmetrically to promote differentiation. During homeostasis, asymmetric cell divisions (ACDs) maintain a stable pool of stem cells that can be used to sustain tissue growth, or mobilized in response to injury. However, dysregulation of this machinery can lead to overgrowth or cancer, particularly in epithelia where tissue turnover is rapid and continuous. In the epidermis and other stratified epithelia, we have shown that the spatial orientation of the plane of cell division can dictate specific fate outcomes. Moreover, disrupting the normal balance of symmetric and asymmetric divisions during development can result in severe differentiation defects. We’ve also shown that division orientation in the epidermis is controlled by both intrinsic factors (e.g. the scaffolding protein LGN) and by extrinsic local cues (e.g., cell-cell adhesion complexes), and can be established by classical models which operate during early stages of mitosis, or refined by unconventional means that occur during late stages of mitosis. Finally, we’ve shown that oriented cell divisions play important roles in other stratified epithelia, specifically the oral mucosa. To perform these studies we rely on both classical mouse genetics as well as a novel, high-throughput in utero gene delivery technique which I term LUGGIGE (Lentiviral Ultrasound-Guided Gene Inactivation and Gene Expression)—that rapidly accelerates the pace and scope of complex, multi-allelic genetic studies in mice
My laboratory’s research has always been interdisciplinary, intentionally expansive, and prioritizes the training of future scientists. My graduate training in cellular neurobiology, combined with my postdoctoral studies on epidermal development, have facilitated my expansion into new research areas such as oral epithelial development and stem cells, and human disease models such as head and neck cancers, cleft palate and skin blistering diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa. I also continue to collaborate with neurobiologists such as Tim Gershon, as well as vascular biologists such as Vicki Bautch and Kathleen Caron. Finally, I place a high value on graduate training, because as the great neurobiologist Santiago Ramon y Cajal believed, “the greatest honor that can come to the master does not lie in molding pupils to follow [them], but in producing scholars who will surpass [them].” I am proud of the accomplishments my graduate and undergraduate trainees have achieved under my guidance, including NSF GRFPs, NIH F31, K08 and T32 awards, and Robert H. Wagner scholarships. Beyond my own lab, I have twice been recognized with the Joe Wheeler Grisham Award for Excellence in Graduate Education by my Department; I am the past Director of Graduate Studies for Pathobiology & Translational Science; I have chaired two BBSP admissions committees for the past four years; and I’ve served on the Executive/Steering committees for three different graduate programs. Most recently, I was appointed as the Assistant Dean for Graduate Education in 2022, and in this role I oversee the BBSP graduate program and its 500+ students and 300+ faculty.

Activities

Employment (3)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill, NC, US

2013-04-01 to present | Associate Professor (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Rockefeller University: New York, NY, US

2006-03 to 2013-03 | Postdoctoral Fellow (Elaine Fuchs Laboratory)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Stem Cells, Inc: Providence, RI, US

1996-06 to 1998-08 | Research Associate (Device Biology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Education and qualifications (2)

Columbia University: New York, NY, US

1998-09 to 2005-02 | Ph.D. (Neurobiology & Behavior)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Brown University: Providence, RI, US

1992-09 to 1996-05 | B.A. (Biology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Funding (8)

Intrinsic and extrinsic spindle orientation mechanisms in mammalian epidermis

2021-03-01 to 2026-01-31 | Grant
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: R01AR077591
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via DimensionsWizard

Exploring the involvement of the actin cytoskeleton and its associated adhesion structures in spindle orientation

2019-01-01 to present | Grant
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (Jerusalem, IL)
GRANT_NUMBER:

2019230

Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via DimensionsWizard

Defining Mechanisms of Pathological Trans-Lesion Synthesis During Carcinogenesis

2018-02-01 to 2023-01-31 | Grant
National Cancer Institute (Rockville, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: R01CA215347
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via DimensionsWizard

Cell-cell adhesion in regulation of mammalian palatogenesis

2017-03-01 to 2019-02-28 | Grant
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: F31DE026956
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via DimensionsWizard

Mechanisms of Oral Epithelial Differentiation

2016-09-12 to 2021-08-31 | Grant
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: K08DE026537
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via DimensionsWizard

Illuminating the Role of Oral Stem Cells in the Development of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas

2016-09-05 to 2018-08-31 | Grant
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (Bethesda, US)
GRANT_NUMBER: R21DE025725
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via DimensionsWizard

Characterization of Oral Stem Cells and Their Role in Squamous Cell Carcinomas

2015-07 to 2017-07 | Grant
Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research (MD, MD, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

SKF-15-065

Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Role of Asymmetric Cell Divisions in Epidermal Development and Homeostasis

2007-10 to 2010-09 | Grant
American Cancer Society (Atlanta, Georgia, US)
GRANT_NUMBER:

PF-07-045-01-DDC

Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Works (31)

AGS3 antagonizes LGN to balance oriented cell divisions and cell fate choices in mammalian epidermis

eLife
2023-04-05 | Journal article
Contributors: Carlos P Descovich; Kendall J Lough; Akankshya Jena; Jessica J Wu; Jina Yom; Danielle C Spitzer; Manuela Uppalapati; Katarzyna M Kedziora; Scott E Williams
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Apoptosis and tissue thinning contribute to symmetric cell division in the developing mouse epidermis in a nonautonomous way

PLOS Biology
2022-08-15 | Journal article
Contributors: Arad Soffer; Renata Basto; Adnan Mahly; Krishnanand Padmanabhan; Jonathan Cohen; Orit Adir; Eidan Loushi; Yaron Fuchs; Scott E. Williams; Chen Luxenburg
Source: check_circle
Crossref

AGS3 antagonizes LGN to balance oriented cell divisions and cell fate choices in mammalian epidermis

2022-05-20 | Preprint
Contributors: Carlos Patiño Descovich; Kendall J. Lough; Akankshya Jena; Jessica J Wu; Jina Yom; Danielle C. Spitzer; Manuela Uppalapati; Katarzyna M. Kedziora; Scott E. Williams
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Disruption of the nectin-afadin complex recapitulates features of the human cleft lip/palate syndrome CLPED1

Development
2020-01-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Kendall J. Lough; Danielle C. Spitzer; Abby J. Bergman; Jessica J. Wu; Kevin M. Byrd; Scott E. Williams
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Telophase correction refines division orientation in stratified epithelia

eLife
2019-12-13 | Journal article
Contributors: Kendall J Lough; Kevin M Byrd; Carlos P Descovich; Danielle C Spitzer; Abby J Bergman; Gerard MJ Beaudoin, III; Louis F Reichardt; Scott E Williams
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Heterogeneity within Stratified Epithelial Stem Cell Populations Maintains the Oral Mucosa in Response to Physiological Stress.

Cell stem cell
2019-12-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

An Immunocompetent Mouse Model of HPV16(+) Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cell reports
2019-11-01 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

The dysfunction of BP180/collagen XVII in keratinocytes promotes melanoma progression.

Oncogene
2019-08-21 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

BP180 dysfunction triggers spontaneous skin inflammation in mice.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
2018-06-04 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Molecular Subtype-Specific Immunocompetent Models of High-Grade Urothelial Carcinoma Reveal Differential Neoantigen Expression and Response to Immunotherapy.

Cancer research
2018-05-21 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Closing the Gap: Mouse Models to Study Adhesion in Secondary Palatogenesis.

Journal of dental research
2017-08-17 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

LGN plays distinct roles in oral epithelial stratification, filiform papilla morphogenesis and hair follicle development

Development
2016-08-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Kevin M. Byrd; Kendall J. Lough; Jeet H. Patel; Carlos Patiño Descovich; T. Anthony Curtis; Scott E. Williams
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Aspm sustains postnatal cerebellar neurogenesis and medulloblastoma growth in mice.

Development (Cambridge, England)
2015-10-08 | Journal article
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams

Par3–​mInsc and ​Gαi3 cooperate to promote oriented epidermal cell divisions through ​LGN

Nature Cell Biology
2014-07-13 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1038/ncb3001

Contributors: Scott E Williams
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Oriented divisions, fate decisions

2013 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.ceb.2013.08.003

EID:

2-s2.0-84887625002

Contributors: Williams, S.E.; Fuchs, E.
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Scopus - Elsevier

A role for the primary cilium in Notch signaling and epidermal differentiation during skin development.

2011-06 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.cell.2011.05.030

PMID:

21703454

PMC:

PMC3135909

Contributors: Chai S; Ezratty EJ; Fuchs E; Shah AS; Stokes N; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Developmental roles for Srf, cortical cytoskeleton and cell shape in epidermal spindle orientation.

2011-03 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1038/ncb2163

PMID:

21336301

PMC:

PMC3278337

Contributors: Fuchs E; Luxenburg C; Pasolli HA; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Asymmetric cell divisions promote Notch-dependent epidermal differentiation.

2011-02 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1038/nature09793

PMID:

21331036

PMC:

PMC3077085

Contributors: Beronja S; Fuchs E; Pasolli HA; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Rapid functional dissection of genetic networks via tissue-specific transduction and RNAi in mouse embryos.

2010-07 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1038/nm.2167

PMID:

20526348

PMC:

PMC2911018

Contributors: Beronja S; Fuchs E; Livshits G; Williams S
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Loss of p120 catenin and links to mitotic alterations, inflammation, and skin cancer.

2008-10 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1073/pnas.0807301105

PMID:

18809907

PMC:

PMC2547465

Contributors: Fuchs E; Pasolli HA; Perez-Moreno M; Song W; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

A role for Nr-CAM in the patterning of binocular visual pathways.

2006-05 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.neuron.2006.03.037

PMID:

16701205

Contributors: Colman DR; Grumet M; Henkemeyer M; Mason CA; Sakurai T; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Temporal regulation of EphA4 in astroglia during murine retinal and optic nerve development.

2006 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.mcn.2006.02.002

PMID:

16574431

Contributors: Mason CA; Petros TJ; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Foxd1 is required for proper formation of the optic chiasm.

2004-11 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1242/dev.01431

PMID:

15509772

Contributors: Erskine L; Herrera E; Lai E; Li S; Marcus R; Mason C; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Mena and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein are required for multiple actin-dependent processes that shape the vertebrate nervous system.

2004-09 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1057-04.2004

PMID:

15371503

Contributors: Aszodi A; Fassler R; Gertler FB; Goh KL; Mason CA; Menzies AS; Pfeifer A; Wehman AM; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

The optic chiasm as a midline choice point.

2004-02 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.conb.2004.01.010

PMID:

15018938

Contributors: Herrera E; Mason CA; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Ephrin-B2 and EphB1 mediate retinal axon divergence at the optic chiasm.

2003-09 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.neuron.2003.08.017

PMID:

12971893

PMC:

PMC3682641

Contributors: Erskine L; Gale NW; Henkemeyer M; Holt CE; Mann F; Mason CA; Rossi DJ; Sakurai T; Wei S; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central
grade
Preferred source (of 2)‎

Encapsulation matrices for neurotrophic factor-secreting myoblast cells

2000 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1089/107632700320775

EID:

2-s2.0-0033998502

Contributors: Li, R.H.; Williams, S.; Burkstrand, M.; Roos, E.
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Scopus - Elsevier

Retinal ganglion cell axon guidance in the mouse optic chiasm: Expression and function of Robos and Slits

2000 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-0034235791

Contributors: Erskine, L.; Williams, S.E.; Brose, K.; Kidd, T.; Rachel, R.A.; Goodman, C.S.; Tessier-Lavigne, M.; Mason, C.A.
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Scopus - Elsevier

Retinal ganglion cell axon guidance in the mouse optic chiasm: expression and function of robos and slits.

2000-07 | Journal article
PMID:

10864955

Contributors: Brose K; Erskine L; Goodman CS; Kidd T; Mason CA; Rachel RA; Tessier-Lavigne M; Williams SE
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Europe PubMed Central

Dose control with cell lines used for encapsulated cell therapy

1999 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1089/ten.1999.5.453

EID:

2-s2.0-0032705950

Contributors: Li, R.H.; Williams, S.; White, M.; Rein, D.
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Scopus - Elsevier

Poly(vinyl alcohol) synthetic polymer foams as scaffolds for cell encapsulation

1998 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-0031940336

Contributors: Li, R.H.; White, M.; Williams, S.; Hazlett, T.
Source: Self-asserted source
Scott E Williams via Scopus - Elsevier

Peer review (4 reviews for 4 publications/grants)

Review activity for Cell stem cell. (1)
Review activity for Developmental cell. (1)
Review activity for Nature aging. (1)
Review activity for Nature communications (1)