Research

Jamie Barth, Ph.D.
Barth Lab website
Microarray Facilities, Bioinformatics


Research in Barth lab focuses on understanding how global programs of gene expression influence cell behavior and lineage, whether in normal developmental processes or in pathological states.

 

Stephen Duncan, D.Phil.
Duncan Lab website
Liver Development and Disease

Research in the Duncan laboratory focuses on liver development and disease using mice and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as model systems. They use transgenic and knockout mice and genetically modified iPSCs to uncover the mechanisms through which transcription factors and cell signaling molecules are required to drive liver development.

 

Amy Engevik, Ph.D.
Amy Engevik Lab website
Molecular motor regulation of protein delivery to epithelial cell membranes

The A. Engevik laboratory studies the molecular motor Myosin Vb, which is responsible for proper delivery of proteins to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Our recent research has highlighted the importance of Myosin Vb in regulating water transport in the intestine and maintaining polarity.

 

Melinda Engevik, Ph.D.
Mindy Engevik Lab Website
Microbial-host interactions in the gastrointestinal tract in the setting of health and disease

The focus of the M. Engevik laboratory is to identify microbe-host interactions in the gastrointestinal tract, with a focus on microbe-mucus interactions. We seek to identify the mechanisms by which commensal microbes promote wound healing and diminish inflammation as well as how pathogens hijack the mucus layer to promote infection.

 

Silvia Guglietta, Ph.D.
Guglietta Lab website
Effects of Dysregulated Intestinal Immunity on Disease Development

The focus of Guglietta lab is to understand how dysregulation of intestinal immunity affects disease development locally and at distant sites.

 

Samar Hammad, Ph.D.
Hammad Lab website
Sphingolipid Signaling Mechanisms in Inflammation and Accelerated Cardiovascular Disease

The focus of the Hammad laboratory has been on sphingolipid signaling mechanisms which mediate the survival of foam cells (lipid-laden macrophages) and their sustained cell activation in response to modified lipoproteins and lipoprotein-immune complexes.

 

Christine Kern, Ph.D.
Christine Kern Lab website
Formation and Homeostasis of the Extracellular Matrix Architecture

The Kern lab is interested in the extracellular matrix i.e. the proteins and molecules that make up the environment in which cells reside. They focus on proteoglycans, not only how they contribute to the biomaterial properties of the tissues but also their role in signaling that impacts cell behavior and phenotype.

 

Michael Kern, Ph.D.
Michael Kern Lab website
Cofactors that Interact with the Prrx Proteins; Biomechanical Engineering of the Temporal Mandibular Joint

The Kern is interested in the genetic circuitry of tissue formation and patterning that occurs during development.

 

Antonis Kourtidis, Ph.D.
Kourtidis Lab website
Interaction of the Adherens Junctions with RNA Complexes in Cell Behavior and Disease

Research in the Kourtidis lab focuses on fully understanding: a) a novel interaction of the adherens junctions with the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery and other RNA-associated complexes, and b) the role of this mechanism in regulating cell behavior in normal and diseased tissues.

 

Roger Markwald, Ph.D.
Markwald Lab website
Heart Development and Regenerative Medicine

The Markwald lab pursues studies on the cell and molecular mechanisms of heart development that utilize in vivo dynamic labeling to demonstrate that heart development is progressive, irreversible and occurs by the addition of new segments including ones derived from extracardiac sources.

 

Martin Morad, Ph.D.
Morad Lab website
Electrophysiology, Ca2+ Imaging and Human Stem Cell Research

The Cardiac Signaling Center draws upon the clinical, biological, and engineering expertise of its sponsoring universities to study molecular cardiovascular mechanisms and develop new therapeutic approaches for heart disease.

 

Robin Muise-Helmericks, Ph.D.
Muise-Helmericks Lab website
Molecular Mechanisms of Angiogenesis and Wound Repair

The Muise-Helmericks lab focuses on the molecular regulation of angiogenesis by the Akt family of kinases.

 

 

Jorge Munera, Ph.D.
Munera Lab website
Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Development of Small Intestine and Colon

The Munera lab studies mechanisms that regulate embryonic development of the intestine and colon.

 

 

Russell A. Norris, Ph.D.
Norris Lab Website
Genetic and biological causes of connective tissue diseases including heart valve diseases and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome

The Norris lab is focused on genetic discoveries, pathological mechanisms and treatments for valve diseases and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

 

Henry Sucov, Ph.D.
Sucov Lab website
Genetic and Molecular Control of Heart Regeneration and Heart (Patho)Physiology

The Sucov lab uses advanced genetic and molecular strategies to identify pathways and processes that influence cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart regeneration, and the relation of these to heart physiology.

 

Ge Tao, Ph.D.
Tao Lab website
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Myocardial Homeostasis, Injury, and Repair

The Tao is unveiling the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying myocardial homeostasis, injury, and repair.

 

Andy Wessels, Ph.D.
Wessels Lab website
Cardiac Development and the Pathogenesis of Congenital Heart Defects and Acquired Heart Valve Diseases

The overall goal of the research performed in the Wessels Laboratory is to unravel the developmental events that are involved in normal cardiac development and to elucidate the mechanisms that lead to congenital heart malformations.

Naohiro Yamaguchi, Ph.D.
Yamaguchi Lab website
Regulatory Mechanisms of Calcium Signaling in Cardiac Muscle Cells

We are studying how Ca2+ transients are regulated in cardiac muscle and how aberrant intracellular calcium homeostasis causes diseases in the cardiac and skeletal muscle.