"In the Séguin Lab, our research program centers on understanding the pathways that regulate the fate and function of cells, with a particular emphasis on the intervertebral disc and spine pathologies. This research is particularly relevant given that back pain is the most frequently reported musculoskeletal problem in Canada, and the second most common cause for visits to physicians in North America.

The lack of effective treatment for this widespread clinical problem is related to our limited understanding of the specific cell types and pathways regulating intervertebral disc development and disease. To address this, Dr. Séguin's research program involves a number of interrelated projects that use novel genetic mouse strains to generate pre-clinical models of disease, as well as cell and tissue model systems, and human tissue samples."