The Center for Molecular Medicine is comprised of laboratories studying basic mechanisms of human disease. Basic laboratory research addresses cellular and molecular signaling mechanisms, and develops new models to understand medical problems. Our discoveries are used to consider new diagnostic or therapeutic opportunities related to our mission of patient care.
Cardiovascular Biology
Potential therapeutic effects of augmented neuregulin-1 signaling
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in our country and globally, accounting for about 1 in 3 deaths in America. Over 85 million Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease or recovering from stroke. This is a worldwide problem, as heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the world for both men and women. One of our early research centers was developed to address the causes and basic cellular mechanisms and physiology related to multiple types of cardiovascular disease. Research studies range from understanding the development of the heart and blood vessel system during embryogenesis, stem cells that give rise to cells of the cardiovascular system, angiogenesis in response to tumors or wound healing, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and vascular obstructive diseases.
Meet our researchers:
- Peter Brooks, PhD: Extracellular matrix signals regulating tumor angiogenesis and cancer progression
- Thomas Gridley, PhD: Notch and Snail signaling in embryonic development of the vasculature
- Lucy Liaw, PhD: Notch signaling in vascular remodeling and disease
- Volkhard Lindner, MD, PhD: Cthrc1 function in metabolic function and vascular disease
- Ilka Pinz, PhD: Mechanisms of cardiomyopathy in dyslipidemia
- Igor Prudovsky, PhD: Vascular biology and protein trafficking
- Sergey Ryzhov, MD, PhD: Adenosine receptor signaling in myocardial repair and inflammation
- Douglas Sawyer, MD, PhD: Basic and clinical studies of signaling in heart failure
- Calvin Vary, PhD: TGFb superfamily signaling in vascular development and disease
Cancer Biology & Therapeutics
Imaging and quantification of tumor angiogenesis using microCT
Cancer covers a broad spectrum of disease that can affect virtually all tissues in the body. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015, there will be over 1.6 million individuals diagnosed with some form of cancer, with an estimated 0.5 million deaths annually. Our researchers address multiple aspects of cancer diagnosis and tumor progression, including angiogenesis, and the effects of the tumor stroma. In addition, we have an active tissue bank representing thousands of tumor specimens from a variety of cancers that are available for research us.
Meet our researchers:
- Peter Brooks, PhD: Extracellular matrix signals regulating tumor angiogenesis and cancer progression
- Thomas Gridley, PhD: Notch signaling in promyelocytic leukemia
- Igor Prudovsky, PhD: FGF-mediated tumor growth
- Michaela Reagan, PhD: Regulation of multiple myeloma
- Robert Rosato, PhD: Blood related and solid tumor diseases
- Calvin Vary, PhD: Targeting Stromal Cell Interactions to Reduce Prostate Cancer
Stem and Progenitor Cell Biology
Left: Erythroid progenitor cells from bone marrow Right: ErbB in human myocardial progenitor cells
A key to understanding cellular function is to understand how mature cells develop from progenitor or stem cells. Stem or progenitor cells have the capacity to become multiple cell types normally during development, but can become diseased, leading to cancers that grow uncontrollably. In addition, our ability to understand the process by which a stem/progenitor cell becomes a mature cell will assist in regenerative medicine applications.
Meet our researchers:
- Aaron Brown, PhD: Development and differentiation of adipose progenitors from pluripotent stem cells
- Katherine Motyl, PhD: Sensory neuron control of bone marrow mesenchymal cell differentiation
- Cliff Rosen, MD: Mesenchymal stem cell lineage differentiation into bone and adipose tissue
- Sergey Ryzhov, MD, PhD: Progenitor cell biology in myocardial repair and inflammation
- Douglas Sawyer, MD, PhD: Cardiovascular stem cells related to heart disease and repair
Developmental Biology and Organogenesis
Developmental biology is the study of how cells, organs, and tissue systems develop and mature. Genetic mutations or dysregulation of signaling during embryonic development can lead to birth defects. Our researchers are interested in the development and maturation of the cardiovascular system, skeletal system, nervous system, kidney, blood cells, and adipose tissues.
Meet our researchers:
- Aaron Brown, PhD: BMP signaling in brown adipose tissue
- Thomas Gridley, PhD: Notch and Snail signaling in embryonic development
- Lucy Liaw, PhD: Development of the blood vasculature
- Calvin Vary, PhD: TGFb superfamily signaling in vascular development
Metabolic and Hormonal Regulation
Diet-induced changes in bone marrow adiposity
Metabolic syndrome is a major health problem, due to many factors, including the prevalence of obesity. Our research addresses the genetic basis of obesity and diabetes, and overall regulators of metabolic health. In addition to adipose tissue, the skeleton, hormonal systems, and liver are organs that actively regulate metabolism and body homeostasis. Our research spans these systems to understand the pathogenesis of diseases including obesity, osteoporosis, hormone imbalance, and diabetes.
Meet our researchers:
- Arturo Hernandez, PhD: Regulation of thyroid hormone signaling in neuroendocrine function and behavior
- Rob Koza, PhD: Genetic and epigenetic factors regulating fat mass and obesity
- Katherine Motyl, PhD: Sympathetic nervous system regulation of bone remodeling
- Ziru Li, PhD: Gut-bone axis with bariatric surgery-induced bone loss
- Matthew Lynes, PhD: Fat tissue and cardiovascular disease
- Clifford Rosen, MD: Metabolic interactions between the skeleton and adipose tissues
