Endothelial Cell Differentiation and Specialization

Department of Biomedical Enginneering Seminar Series

“Endothelial Cell Differentiation and Specialization"

Karen K. Hirschi PhD
Professor of Medicine and of Genetics
Yale University

Abstract: We are interested in understanding, at the cellular and molecular level, the events leading to blood vessel formation. We are particularly interested in elucidating regulators of endothelial cell commitment, differentiation and specialization as well as modulators of endothelial cell proliferation during vessel formation. We use the mouse model system to study vascular development in vivo (transgenesis), in situ (embryo culture) and in vitro (primary cell and co-culture systems). Information derived from the murine embryo model system is used to modulate the commitment of pluripotent human stem cells (hES and iPS cells) toward vascular cell fates, and to understand the distinct molecular mechanisms that govern the differentiation of human endothelial cells. Insights gained from our cell and developmental studies are applied to the genesis and optimization of clinically relevant strategies to promote vascular regeneration in vivo and to produce vascular and blood cells ex vivo, as part of multi-disciplinary projects designed to translate mechanisms of tissue morphogenesis into strategies to repair damaged and diseased tissues.

When: Thursday, April 9th, 2015
Place: Becton Seminar Room
Time: 4PM