"Microfluidic biophysical models for inherited vascular disease" with William Polacheck, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Online Seminar)

Title: Microfluidic biophysical models for inherited vascular disease

Speaker: William Polacheck, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hosted by: Giuliano Scarcelli

Abstract: 

Many inherited diseases are associated with multiple genetic mutations, requiring multiple animal models for a single disease. Furthermore, probing the contributions of biophysical factors in disease progression is limited by the ability to manipulate and measure mechanical forces and properties at the cellular and tissue length scales in living animals. These limitations introduce challenges for inferring efficacy in humans based on interventions in animal models, particularly for diseases in which the genetics are not well-characterized, such as rare inherited diseases. In this talk, I will discuss efforts by my laboratory to develop microfluidic models to address these limitations, and I will present data from efforts to generate humanized models of vascular Ehler’s-Danlos syndrome and of vascular and lymphatic malformations. In addition to supporting the overall approach, results from these models of rare disease provide insight into key mechanical signals and mechanosensory pathways that regulate vascular development and homeostasis.

Seminars start at 4:00 pm and refreshments served at 3:45 pm. All seminars are held in the Conference Room (1116) of the Institute for Physical Science and Technology (IPST) Building, unless otherwise noted.