 >Established at The Hope in 1999, the Department of Vascular Biology focuses on understanding the regulation of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis - two processes by which capillaries and larger blood vessels are formed.
Our approach is to elucidate the interactions of cells with their surrounding extracellular matrix at the molecular level. We are currently studying several types of proteins that are involved in different regulatory pathways of vascular formation.
We hope to understand the regulation of angiogenic processes such that increasing vascularization - specifically to ischemic areas of the body - becomes a reality. This type of therapy will lead to treatments for cardiovascular disease that are less invasive than traditional surgeries.
Focus and Challenges
Understanding the growth of new blood vessels in different tissues of the body.
Major Projects – Dr. E. Helene Sage Lab
- Characterizing the functions of the matricellular protein SPARC (secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) and the SPARC-like protein SC1/hevin during angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and wound healing.
- Understanding cell-matrix interactions at the molecular level with an emphasis on the development and function of mammalian connective tissue and blood vessels.
- Characterizing the function and regulation of Collagen Types I and VIII during angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and wound healing.
Staff
Amy Bradshaw, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Sarah Funk (Research Technologist)
David Graves, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Andy Hunter, PhD (Research Technologist)
Nikole Letrondo (Research Technician)
Carrie Murri (Research Technician)
Eileen Neligan (Administrative Assistant)
Helene Sage, PhD (Director)
Mariya Sweetwyne (Post Baccalaureate Researcher)
Gail Workman (Research Technologist)
Qi Yan, PhD (Associate Investigator)
Meet Dr. Sage
Major Projects – Dr. Thomas Wight Lab
- Characterize the role that the extracellular matrix molecules, proteoglycans and hyaluronan, play in regulating vascular cell type.
- Determine the mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix assembly by proteoglycans and hyaluronan
- Identify the mechanism(s) by which proteoglycans interact with hypoproteins to retain them in lesions of atherosclerosis
- Identify the signaling molecules involved in the regulation of proteoglycans and hyaluronan synthesis by inflammatory cytokines in vascular cells
- Develop the use of proteoglycan genes to bioengineer vascular tissue.
Staff
Sandra Au (Lab Assistant)
Kathy Braun (Reasearch Technologist)
Ellen Briggs (Administrative Assistant)
Christina Chan (Research Technologist)
Allison Dewispelaere (lab Assistant)
Steve Evanko, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Ingrid Harten (UW Graduate Student)
Pam Johnson, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Paul Keire (Graduate Research Assistant)
Mike Kinsella, PhD (Associate Investigator)
Sue Perigo, PhD (Associate Investigator)
Marsha Rolle (UW Postdoctoral Fellow)
Tom Wight, PhD (Chair)
Meet Dr. Wight
Major Projects – Dr. Robert Vernon Lab
- Collaborating with the University of Washington, the University of Toronto, Advance Tissue Sciences of La Jolla, California and Advanced Polymer Sciences of Redwood City, California to isolate a patient's own stem cells, develop them into living, functional, heart tissue and then transplant the bioengineered tissue back into the body. Vernon's focus is on creating a system of artificial blood vessels inside the heart patch that would distribute nutrients to the heart muscle cells as they develop into functional tissue in the bioreactor. These blood vessels would be connected to the patient's own blood supply when the completed muscle patch was grafted onto the patient's heart.
- Participating in a collaborative, five-year, research project to "grow" a living heart, an undertaking that could lead to tissue-engineered replacement hearts and the means to grow other major organs in the laboratory.
Staff
Michel Gooden, MS (Research Technologist)
Paige Stephans (Graduate Student)
Robert Vernon, PhD (Assistant Member)
Meet Dr. Vernon
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January 31,
2009
New Date! |
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