Hematopoiesis is the development of blood cells, which is highly regulated through both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Transcription factors are critical for normal proliferation and differentiation of blood cells. Growth factors and the bone marrow microenvironment are also critical for normal hematopoiesis. Specific diseases of hematopoiesis result from defects in transcription or protein synthesis.

The overall goal of Dr. Sakamoto's laboratory is to understand the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis and how aberrancies result in diseases of hematopoiesis, including leukemia, bone marrow failure, and myeloproliferative disease.