Funding
Current Funding
NIH R01 HL153005
Novel Mechanisms of Vasculogenesis
The proposed study will investigate the functional role and lineage contribution of a novel population of blood vessel progenitor cells which we have identified in zebrafish embryos. These cells contribute to vascular growth by a novel mechanism of intercalation into existing vasculature. The acquired knowledge will promote development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at repairing damaged vessels in multiple vascular diseases.
Previous Funding
NIH R21 AI128445
Characterization of a novel hematopoietic siteThe goal of this project was to identify a role of novel progenitor cells that we hypothesized to contribute to hematopoietic system. We have subsequently demonstrated that these cells in fact contribute to established blood vessels by a novel process of cell intercalation and we are currently pursuing these studies further.NIH R01 HL107369
Molecular Mechanisms of Arterial-Venous Differentiation in ZebrafishIn this project we have demonstrated that arterial and venous progenitors originate at different times and distinct embryonic sites. We further established that different levels of Vegf signaling works together with ETS transcription factor Etv2 to initiate expression of arterial and venous genes thus initiating endothelial differentiation program
NIH R01 HL134815
The role of Collagen COL22A1 in intracranial aneurysms and vascular stabilityThe goal of this project is to determine the role of collagen COL22A1 in vascular stability using zebrafish model system. We are also using zebrafish model to test a functional effect of mutant variants identified in human individuals with intracranial aneurysms.