RESEARCH
Cardiovascular disorders are the leading cause of death in both men and women. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms guiding cardiovascular disease progression in women remain poorly characterized. We seek to use precision biomaterials as tools to determine sex-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular disease progression at multiple length scales. We are also interested in characterizing sex-specific biology associated with cancer metastasis, stem cell biology, and inflammation.
Thank you to various funding agencies for supporting our sex differences research!
PROJECT 1: Characterize the role of sex chromosome linked genes contributing to sex differences in cardiovascular diseases.
Clinical data from aortic valve stenosis patients suggest men develop calcified, bone-like valve tissue, whereas women develop fibrotic, scar-like valvular tissue. We seek to understand how valvular cells integrate mechanical and biochemical signals from sex-specific tissue microenvironments to direct sexual dimorphisms in heart valve disease via sex chromosome linked genes.
PROJECT 2: Optimize patient-specific drug combinations to target myofibroblasts using AI-based tools.
Small molecule inhibitors of aortic valve disease and cardiac fibrosis remain elusive. We have engineered in vitro models of valve disease using human serum from patients with valve disease and hydrogels to culture valvular cells. Using artificial intelligence derived platforms, we are optimizing sex-specific drug combinations to inhibit myofibroblast activation in male and female cells. Our models may allow for sex-based precision drug discovery for patients with valve disease.
PROJECT 3: Determine cell populations that regulate sex-specific calcification using spatial transcriptomics.
Spatial transcriptomics is a powerful tool that enables the mapping of transcriptional activity in cells to a specific region in the tissue. We seek to use spatial transcriptomics techniques to characterize sex-specific cellular activity in native and engineered tissues, and specifically determine heterogeneous populations of cells that modulate ectopic calcification in aortic valves.
PROJECT 4: Engineer biomaterial implants for sex-specific immunomodulation and tissue regeneration
Our lab seeks to engineer sex-specific biomaterial implants (image) to modulate the immune system in a sex-specific manner. Given that males and females have differential immune responses after injury, we seek to modulate the inflammation response after injury in a sex-specific manner to help improve tissue remodeling.
