Michaela Patterson

Michaela Patterson, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (CBNA) at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Her research focuses on the intersection of cellular ploidy, genetic diversity, and heart regeneration. The Patterson Lab investigates cardiomyocyte ploidy dynamics, genetic determinants of heart regeneration, and mechanisms underlying tissue repair post-myocardial infarction.

Education:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
• PhD, University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
• BS, Bates College (Lewiston, ME)

Research Interests:

• Genetic underpinnings of cardiomyocyte ploidy and heart regeneration
• Polyploidy mechanisms in somatic cells
• Role of genetic diversity (e.g., Hybrid Mouse/Rat Diversity Panels) in cardiac outcomes
• Cellular interactions influencing ploidy and repair

Publications: Dr. Patterson’s work spans 20+ peer-reviewed articles, emphasizing genetic screens, cardiomyocyte biology, and translational cardiac research. Recent studies address ploidy dynamics, IL4Rα signaling in regeneration, and therapeutic targets for myocardial infarction.

Lab & Collaborations: The Patterson Lab actively recruits graduate students and postdocs. They collaborate with MCW researchers to leverage the Hybrid Rat Diversity Panel for genetic studies. Key projects include exploring cell-type-specific roles in ploidy regulation and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Labs/Teams: Based in the Cardiovascular Research Center at MCW, the lab fosters team science and interdisciplinary approaches.