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Paul A. Janmey, Ph.D.
Professor of Physiology
The author of more than 100 full-length publications in prestigious journals and holder of 10 patents, Dr. Janmey comes to Penn and the IME in September 1999 from Harvardıs Department of Experimental Medicine. Dr. Janmey received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin and completed his research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He is a well-known scholar and research investigator in the physiology of cytoskeleton, and works at the interface of physics, biology, materials engineering, and basic biomedical research. He integrates training in physical chemistry and biophysics into biomedical engineering targeted at fundamental mechanisms in cell physiology. Dr. Janmeyıs research is complementary to that of other IME faculty, as well as to investigations of cytoskeleton protein 'motors' in the Pennsylvania Muscle Institute (PMI). Thus, Dr. Janmey will lead a major cross-institute thrust in cytoskeleton and biomaterials research.
Current research interests in Dr. Janmeyıs lab are focussed on quantitative measurements of cytoskeletal mechanics and on identifying the molecular mechanisms that allows cells to sense the mechanical properties of their surroundings and modify their own structures accordingly. Part of the study of cytoskeletal regulation is centered on how membrane inositol phospholipids interact with cytoskeletal proteins to modulate their function. Some of the results of these studies are being tested for practical applications in such settings as modulating the rheology of extracellular fluids, development of fibrin glues from non infectious sources such as cold water fish blood, and modifying cell membranes to allow cryopreservation.
Valerie M. Weaver, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Dr. Weaver joins Penn and the IME in September 1999, from UC Berkeley, Life Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She is a Summa cum Laude graduate in biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, Canada, where she also received her Ph.D. The author of more than 30 full-length publications, her work addresses the mechanism and relevance of epithelial tumor cell "dormancy". Specific objectives include determining how cell adhesion molecules, through their effects on cell geometry, tissue organization, and nuclear architecture, regulate cell growth and death (apoptosis). Long-term goals include identifying novel architectural transcription factors that function as cell adhesion regulators to mediate tumor dormancy and resistance to apoptosis.
Dr. Weaver uses three dimensional extracellular matrix assays in conjunction with models such as a novel mammary epithelial tumor progression series. Additional strategies involve the use of primary mammary epithelial cells and co-cultures of stromal and epithelial cells. The model systems recapitulate architectural and behavioral characteristics observed in normal breast tissue and in the various stages of breast cancer in vivo. Cell adhesion-mediated tissue polarity has been identified as a critical feature of the organized tissue, that may facilitate a reciprocal cross-modulation between integrins and growth factor receptors in the cellular regulation of growth and death decisions (see featured research, below). The studies have important implications for the treatment and management of epithelial cancers specifically, breast cancer.
