Welcome to the lab!

We study how stem cells decide their fate — no pressure, just a few trillion life-altering choices at a time.

The Fort Lab investigates how mechanical forces and cell-cell interactions guide early cell fate decisions in human stem cells. We focus on understanding how actomyosin contractility, adhesion dynamics, and extracellular cues converge to influence mesoderm specification, with a focus on the heart—the first organ to develop.

Using a combination of stem cell models, quantitative imaging, and molecular biology, our goal is to uncover the fundamental principles that govern human development. By bridging cell biology and biomechanics, our lab aims to reveal how physical forces shape cell identity.