Heparan sulfate deficiency disturbs filopodia formation (white arrows) on vascular endothelial cells (green) on diaphragm.

MPP research projects in Cell & Molecular Biology investigate fundamental structure-function relationships involved in cellular and molecular signaling. Current projects include:

• Investigating how the acquisition and reacquisition of tissue-specific extracellular matrix structure and function occurs in the dermis, tendons, ligaments and the corneal stroma. This work addresses the molecular pathophysiology underlying human congenital disorders such as Ehlers Danlos syndrome, congenital corneal stromal dystrophy, myopathies and osteogenesis imperfecta.
• Investigating the mechanisms by which heparan sulfate (HS), a linear polysaccharide expressed on cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix, regulates leukocyte trafficking/inflammation, vascular development, stem cell biology, cancer and Alzheimer`s disease via its interactions with a large number of protein ligands, such as growth factors, morphogens, cytokines and matrix proteins. 
• Investigating RNA binding proteins and their roles in cell survival in traumatic brain injury and in therapeutic hypothermia.