Jing Fan is an Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a metabolism investigator at the Morgridge Institute for Research. She serves as a faculty trainer in multiple graduate programs, including Cellular and Molecular Biology (CMB) and the Integrated Program in Biochemistry (IPiB). Education: PhD, 2014, Princeton University Her research focuses on metabolic reprogramming in immune and cancer cells, particularly macrophages and neutrophils during immune responses and tumor microenvironment interactions. She employs metabolomics, lipidomics, and fluxomics integrated with biochemical and genetic techniques. The 15 most recent publications highlight her lab's work on metabolic flexibility in neutrophils and macrophages nutrient utilization during immune activation epigenetic regulation by metabolic pathways metabolic interactions in tumor microenvironments systems-level metabolic flux analysis translational applications for immunotherapy . She leads the Fan Lab, which includes current team members such as graduate students Carlos Mellado Fritz, Nick Arp, and Jorgo Lika, alongside postdoctoral fellows James Votava and Julia Nunes. Alumni include PhD graduates Emily Britt (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and Gretchen Seim (Genentech), as well as MD/PhD graduate Laura Steenberge (University of Pittsburgh Residency).
Wendy R Gordon serves as an Associate Professor in the Structural Biology and Biophysics department at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her research program bridges structural biology, biophysics, and translational medicine with significant funding from NIH sources including the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Dr. Gordon leads multiple active research projects focused on mechanobiology, protein engineering, and cancer therapeutics. Dr. Gordon's research interests center on understanding molecular mechanisms of cell surface receptors, particularly the Notch signaling pathway, and developing innovative tools for studying cellular mechanics. Her work spans structural biology approaches to characterize protein-DNA interactions, mechanotransduction mechanisms, and receptor regulation. She has developed novel technologies including HUH-Tags for protein-DNA labeling and tension sensors for measuring cellular forces. Her research has significant implications for cancer immunotherapy, particularly in engineering protein modulators of Notch activation for CAR T-cell therapy. Analysis of Dr. Gordon's recent publications reveals a strong focus on three interconnected research themes: 1) molecular mechanisms of Notch signaling and receptor regulation, 2) development of innovative tools for protein-DNA conjugation and cellular mechanotype measurement, and 3) applications of these technologies to cancer biology and immunotherapy. Her work demonstrates increasing integration of structural biology with functional cellular assays and therapeutic applications, particularly in tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy contexts. Dr. Gordon currently leads or collaborates on seven major research projects totaling millions in NIH funding. Her active grants include: LUMICKS C-trap for Mechanistic Studies of Biological Systems (as PI), Engineering Protein Modulators of Notch Activation for CAR T-cell immunotherapy (as CoI), Viral vector technology for cell type specific gene delivery (as CoI), Decoding mechanotransduction mechanisms of cell-surface receptors (as PI), and the Center for Multiparametric Imaging of Tumor Immune Microenvironments (as CoI). These projects reflect her expertise spanning structural biology, mechanobiology, and translational applications. Dr. Gordon's laboratory operates at the intersection of structural biology and cellular mechanobiology, with strong collaborations across the University of Minnesota campus including with cancer researchers, bioengineers, and clinicians. Her team develops and applies cutting-edge technologies including single-molecule techniques, protein engineering approaches, and high-throughput cellular mechanotype measurement systems to address fundamental questions in receptor biology with therapeutic implications.
Associate Professor Freda Passam is a Clinical Academic Haematologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, specializing in thrombosis and haemostasis. She leads the Haematology Research Group at the Charles Perkins Centre, focusing on platelet biology, endothelial cell dysfunction, and translational research in cardiovascular diseases. Her work integrates basic science with clinical applications, including developing microfluidic technologies like the Endo-chip for thrombosis diagnosis and therapy screening. Education: MD and PhD in Greece (angiogenesis in Hodgkin’s lymphoma), postdoctoral training at UNSW and Harvard University. Research spans platelet hyperactivity in diabetes, immune thrombosis (e.g., HIT), and thiol isomerase inhibitors as antithrombotics. Collaborates globally with institutions like Harvard and the University of Utah. Research Interests: 1) Platelet biomarkers in diabetes-related cardiovascular risk; 2) Immune thrombosis diagnostics/therapies (e.g., Endo-chip); 3) Bone marrow-on-chip models for thrombopoiesis. Current projects include SEC61B regulation of calcium flux, endothelial thromboinflammation, and ERp5/ERp57 roles in platelet production. Grants: Over $6M in funding from NHMRC, MRFF, NSW Health, and industry partnerships. Notable awards include Sydney Nano Grand Challenge Award (2022) and SLHD VTE Stewardship Award (2020). Advising: Mentors over 6 PhD/master’s students in thrombosis research, emphasizing clinical/research integration. Teaching includes Sydney Medicine curriculum, bedside tutorials, and student engagement in lab activities. Labs/Teams: Haematology Research Group (Charles Perkins Centre), collaborations with Sydney Health Partners, Harvard, and international haematology groups. Develops technologies like the Endo-chip and bone marrow-on-chip models.
Professor Erez Raz serves as Director of the Institute of Cell Biology at the University of Münster and is affiliated with the Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE). He is a prominent member of the Cluster of Excellence "Cells in Motion" and serves on the board of the CiM-IMPRS graduate program. His research group "AG Raz: Cell biology in vivo - Germ-cell development" investigates fundamental mechanisms of cell migration in living organisms. Professor Raz's research focuses on cell migration, cell-fate maintenance, and organogenesis within live vertebrate embryos. His laboratory primarily employs zebrafish as a model organism due to its transparent embryos that develop externally, enabling high-resolution live imaging of cellular processes. His work has revealed critical mechanisms of how cells navigate within developing organisms, with significant implications for understanding pathological conditions like cancer metastasis and inflammatory processes where cell migration becomes dysregulated. His recent publications demonstrate a sustained focus on molecular mechanisms controlling germ cell migration, including the roles of RNA-binding proteins like Dnd1, bleb formation dynamics, mitochondrial regulation of germ cell fitness, and tissue microenvironment influences on cell protrusion types. His research uniquely integrates approaches from cell biology, biophysics, genetics, and mathematical modeling to gain comprehensive insights into cellular migration dynamics. Over 100 publications spanning two decades Extensive collaborations across disciplines Methodological innovations in cell imaging and manipulation Professor Raz has successfully mentored numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between biologists, physicists, mathematicians, and clinicians. His laboratory has developed innovative techniques for cell ablation, mRNA labeling, and in vivo manipulations using optical tweezers, contributing significantly to methodological advances in the field. His laboratory participates in the Multiscale Imaging Centre and the "Cells in Motion" research network, providing access to state-of-the-art imaging capabilities for studying cellular dynamics at multiple scales, from molecular interactions to whole-organism development.
Lionel Hebbard is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at James Cook University's College of Medicine and Dentistry. His research spans hepatocellular carcinoma mechanisms, metabolic liver disease, and cancer therapeutics with significant contributions to adiponectin biology and sarcopenia assessment in cardiac surgery. James Cook University (Current) Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology College of Medicine and Dentistry Senior Researcher in Liver Cancer Biology His research focuses on hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis , particularly adiponectin signaling pathways and liver cancer stem cells. He investigates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression to cancer, metabolic drivers of tumorigenesis, and therapeutic targeting using aptamer-based delivery systems. Recent work explores sarcopenia quantification via CT imaging for cardiac surgery risk prediction, demonstrating clinical translation of his molecular findings. His lab employs advanced techniques including CRISPR screening (TARGET-SL platform), in vitro cancer models, and murine tumor systems. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals strong emphasis on translational liver cancer research (60%), cardiac surgery complications (20%), and emerging biotechnologies (20%). Key trends include adiponectin's dual roles in fibrosis and tumorigenesis, sarcopenia as a surgical biomarker, and aptamer-based targeting of cancer stem cells. His work consistently bridges molecular mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnostics and treatment. He mentors multiple doctoral students and early-career researchers including Rhys Gillman and Miriam Wankell. His research is supported by continuous funding from Australian NHMRC and international collaborations with George Jacob (Westmead Institute), Qiao Liang (Bentham Books), and Ranscht Barbara (T-cadherin studies). He leads the Hepatic Cancer Biology laboratory focusing on: Liver cancer stem cell characterization Adiponectin receptor signaling in HCC Metabolic drivers of tumor progression Novel drug delivery systems for liver cancer Translational sarcopenia assessment tools
Dr. Sergio Dall'Angelo is a Lecturer and independent Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen's School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. Holding a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from Universita' Statale di Milano (2008), he established an organic/medicinal chemistry lab at the Institute of Medical Sciences in 2009 and became a Research Fellow in 2019. His research spans PET imaging, peptide synthesis, and synthetic organic chemistry. Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry (Universita' Statale di Milano, 2008) 2012 SINAPSE Postdoctoral and Early Career Researcher Exchange Fund awardee Harvard University research visit (2012-2013) Research focus areas include: Development of novel fluorine-18 PET tracers for hypoxia and drug interactions Peptide/peptidomimetic synthesis for therapeutic applications Radiochemical methodologies and clinical-grade PET tracer preparation Recent publications highlight advancements in PET tracer development, fluorinated drug design, and peptide engineering. Key collaborations include work with Harvard University and SINAPSE network institutions. Scientific affiliations: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI) SINAPSE (Scottish Imaging Network) SULSA Strategic Committee - Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Christian Freund is Professor of Protein Biochemistry at the Institute for Chemistry & Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, holding this W2 professorship since 2011. He serves as Coordinator of the FU Berlin-UCSF Collaborative Initiative and Founding Member/Vice-chair of the DFG Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TRR 186 on Molecular Switches in Cellular Signal Transmission, leading interdisciplinary research across Berlin and Heidelberg institutions. His academic foundation includes Chemistry studies at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf (1983-1986) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (1986-1989), followed by a PhD in Structural Biology at the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry (1994) and Habilitation in Biochemistry at Freie Universität Berlin (2005). Freund's research integrates structural biology, biophysics, and immunology to investigate molecular mechanisms of antigen presentation and cellular signaling. His work centers on MHC class II dynamics, protein conformational switches, and nanoscale organization of signaling complexes, employing NMR spectroscopy, quantitative proteomics, and molecular engineering to dissect immune recognition pathways and neuronal signaling mechanisms. Analysis of his 2010-2019 publications reveals consistent focus on MHC-mediated antigen presentation (60% of works), with significant contributions to understanding peptide exchange dynamics and HLA-DM editing functions. Secondary research streams explore synaptic protein networks (25%) and T cell signaling machinery (15%), demonstrating methodological breadth across structural biology, proteomics, and cell biological approaches. His scientific recognition includes: Biofuture award from the German Ministry of Education and Research (1999) Swiss National Funds Post-doctoral Scholarship (1997) Innovationswettbewerb Medizintechnik grant (2009) As research group leader at Leibniz-Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (2000-2011) and current FU Berlin professor, Freund has secured major collaborative funding through DFG SFB/TRR 186 and the UCSF partnership. His mentorship spans postdoctoral fellows at Harvard/Dana-Farber and Leibniz-Institute, with current supervision of graduate students in the Berlin biochemistry program. Freund directs a research group within FU Berlin's Institute for Chemistry & Biochemistry, operating as core component of SFB/TRR 186. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with UCSF's QBI (Nevan Krogan) and Heidelberg-based structural biology teams, utilizing advanced NMR, cryo-EM, and single-molecule imaging facilities across the Berlin-Heidelberg research alliance.
Georgios Palasantzas is a Full Professor at the University of Groningen, holding positions in both the Faculty of Science and Engineering within the Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces group and the Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG in the Nanotechnology and Biophysics in Medicine (NANOBIOMED) program. His research spans multiple disciplines at the intersection of physics, materials science, and medical applications. Palasantzas earned his PhD in the group of Prof. J. Crimea in the USA, followed by mandatory military service in Greece and a postdoc at Delft University of Technology/DIMES (NEXT Lab). He joined the University of Groningen as a Metals Fellow within the Netherlands Institute of Metals Research (NIMR), became a Lecturer at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials in 2000, was promoted to Associate Professor, and has served as a Full Professor since 2019. His research focuses on fundamental nanoscale phenomena with applications in multiple fields. Key areas include Nanoscale surface roughness , Casimir forces , Nano/microelectromechanical systems , Nanoparticles , Kinetic roughening , Scanning probe microscopy , Adhesion , and Wetting . His work has significant implications for both fundamental physics and practical applications in nanotechnology and medicine. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on Casimir force phenomena across various materials and conditions, with increasing interdisciplinary applications in medical contexts, particularly in understanding cellular mechanics and developing neuromorphic computing systems using nanoparticle networks. His research demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental surface physics toward practical applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine. NWO/ENW-M1 grant on Surface roughness effects on DLVO forces between functionalized surfaces (Ranked 2, 2020) NWO/ENW-M1 grant on Casimir force control by reversible amorphous-crystalline phase transitions (Ranked 1, 2021) NWO/Open Technology Program (OTP) grant on Repulsive Casimir forces from topological insulators towards device actuation (Ranked 3, 2022) GogiCron/RUG grant on Neuromorphics with nanoparticles (2020) Professor Palasantzas leads research in the Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces group, with significant collaboration between the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Medical Sciences. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications in medical diagnostics and nanotechnology, particularly through the NANOBIOMED initiative which explores the intersection of nanotechnology and biophysics in medical contexts.
Nao Nishida serves as Assistant Professor at Waseda University's Institute for Advanced Study since 2022, following appointments at Tokyo Medical University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Her research bridges cancer biology and cell-cell communication mechanisms within tumor microenvironments. Her educational background includes: PhD in Agriculture (2014) from Kyoto University Master's in Applied Life Sciences (2011) from Kyoto University Bachelor's in Applied Life Sciences (2009) from Kyoto University Nishida's research centers on extracellular vesicle-mediated tumor-stroma crosstalk, with particular focus on exosome-driven metastasis, tumor-associated macrophage reprogramming, and organotypic culture modeling. She investigates how lipid composition and serine metabolism in cancer-derived EVs regulate microenvironmental remodeling and therapeutic resistance. Her work integrates advanced lipidomics, real-time tissue imaging, and spatial EV distribution analysis to uncover metastatic mechanisms. Analysis of her 17 publications reveals dominant themes in exosome biology (71% of works), cancer microenvironment dynamics (63%), and therapeutic targeting strategies (41%). Recent work increasingly incorporates spatial tissue context (2022-2024) and clinical translation potential. Her awards include: ISEV2025 New Parents Scholarship Japan Society for Promotion of Science Outstanding Researcher Candidate (2021) ISEV2017 Junior Member Scholarship Young Researcher Excellent Presentation Award (2015) Nishida directs multiple active grants including JSPS KAKENHI projects on EV secretion mechanisms (2023-2026) and nutritional stress adaptation (2025-2028), plus Mitsubishi Foundation and Uehara Memorial Foundation awards. She mentors through Waseda's bioscience curriculum while developing organotypic slice platforms for drug screening. Her laboratory utilizes advanced tumor slice culture systems and spatial EV mapping techniques to dissect microenvironmental heterogeneity, with current work focusing on stromal contribution to therapeutic resistance and organ-specific metastatic niches.
Claire Booth is Professor of Gene Therapy and Paediatric Immunology within the Infection, Immunity & Inflammation Department at University College London. Her work bridges cutting-edge gene therapy techniques with clinical applications for pediatric immunodeficiency disorders, focusing on translating laboratory discoveries into therapeutic interventions for rare genetic conditions. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, University College London (2012) Master of Science, University College London (2007) Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, King's College London (2001) Professor Booth's research centers on gene therapy approaches for inborn errors of immunity, with particular expertise in lentiviral vector systems, hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy, and genome editing techniques. Her work addresses critical challenges in treating rare immunodeficiency disorders including X-linked SCID, Fanconi anemia, leukocyte adhesion deficiency, and CTLA4 insufficiency. She investigates both the mechanistic underpinnings of these disorders and the development of novel therapeutic strategies that can be translated to clinical practice. Analysis of her recent publications (2023-2024) reveals a strong focus on clinical translation of gene therapy approaches, with numerous phase 1/2 clinical trial results, methodological improvements in conditioning regimens, and exploration of novel targets for immunodeficiency disorders. Her work spans basic science investigations through to clinical implementation, with particular attention to safety profiles, immune reconstitution patterns, and long-term outcomes in pediatric patients. Professor Booth actively collaborates with international research groups and clinical networks, contributing to consensus guidelines for managing rare immunological conditions. Her research program addresses critical gaps in understanding how to effectively deliver gene therapies for rare diseases while navigating the complex challenges of commercialization and accessibility.
Francis Alenghat is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine-Cardiology at the University of Chicago . His research bridges macrophage biology , inflammatory pathways , and cardiovascular disease , with a focus on atherosclerosis and integrin-mediated mechanotransduction. Dr. Alenghat combines clinical expertise in cardiovascular medicine with translational research to uncover mechanisms linking inflammation to cardiovascular health. Education: S.B. in Engineering (Harvard College), Ph.D. in Biophysics (Harvard Graduate School), M.D. (Harvard Medical School) Research Interests encompass: Macrophage polarization in atherosclerosis Integrin signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics Extracellular matrix biology in vascular disease AI-driven cardiovascular risk stratification tools Lipid-lowering therapies and plaque characterization Inflammatory biomarkers in heart failure His selected publications highlight work on mechanotransduction in macrophages (2021-2024) AI applications for cardiovascular diagnostics (2021) clinical trial data generalizability (2019) Scientific Awards include the Howard Hughes Predoctoral Fellowship, Thomas W. Smith Fellowship, and Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC). Dr. Alenghat has secured NIH funding for projects like "Determinants of Regulatory Macrophage Function in Coronary Artery Disease" (R03HL154292, 2020-2022). His lab employs techniques such as mouse models of atherosclerosis immunohistochemistry quantitative confocal microscopy to investigate mechanistic links between inflammation and cardiovascular disease , mentoring future physicians-scientists toward improved clinical outcomes.
Jayne Charnock is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Edge Hill University, specializing in reproductive biology with a focus on implantation, placental development, and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). Her career spans research in placental vascular development, wound healing, and maternal-fetal health, alongside teaching roles in pathology, anatomy, and pharmacology. Education: BSc (Hons) in Anatomical Sciences PhD from University of Manchester (cytotrophoblast research with Professors John Aplin and Melissa Westwood) Jayne’s research explores placental blood vessel formation, placental stem cells, regulators of implantation, pregnancy in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and prenatal programming. Her work emphasizes in vitro models of cell function and translational applications for fetal growth restriction and maternal health. Recent publications highlight her expertise in placental vasculogenesis, PCOS effects on embryo implantation, and prolactin transcription dynamics. Collaborative projects address dietary impacts on recurrent miscarriage and trophoblast-stem cell interactions. Jayne mentors Final Year Project students and engages in public science outreach, including STEM Ambassador roles and partnerships with local schools and the Scout Association.
Stefano Guerra, MD, PhD, MPH is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona and holds the prestigious Henry E. Dahlberg Chair in Asthma Research. He serves as Director of Population Sciences at the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center (A2DRC) and is a Professor at the UA Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the UA BIO5 Institute. His work bridges clinical medicine, public health, and basic science research in respiratory diseases. Dr. Guerra's research focuses on the developmental origins of respiratory diseases, particularly asthma. His work spans several key areas including: Early life determinants of asthma and lung function development from fetal life through adulthood The role of epigenetics and biomarkers like CC16 (Club Cell Secretory Protein) in respiratory health Longitudinal cohort studies tracking respiratory health from birth to adulthood Environmental influences on respiratory health, including air pollution effects Population-level patterns of asthma and related conditions across diverse populations His most recent publications reveal emerging trends in understanding the connections between early life exposures, metabolic factors, and long-term respiratory outcomes. Notably, his work has identified links between childhood insulin-related asthma and reduced lung function, creatine kinase levels in childhood asthma, and the role of early growth patterns in adult spirometric restriction. His research increasingly integrates multi-omics approaches with traditional epidemiological methods. Dr. Guerra has been honored with The Henry E. Dahlberg Chair in Asthma Research , a distinguished position recognizing his significant contributions to asthma research. Dr. Guerra serves as Principal Investigator for several major longitudinal studies including the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study (TCRS) and the Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease (TESAOD). He is currently leading the CC16 COVID Pilot study. His work has been supported by numerous grants that enable these long-term investigations into respiratory health across the lifespan. As Director of Population Sciences at the Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center (A2DRC), Dr. Guerra leads a multidisciplinary team focused on understanding the population-level determinants of asthma and airway diseases. His work bridges clinical care, public health, and basic science research to address respiratory health challenges from multiple angles.
Dario C. Altieri, M.D. serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Wistar Institute, Director of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center (an NCI-designated facility), and Robert and Penny Fox Distinguished Professor leading the Genome Regulation and Cell Signaling Program. His leadership spans both administrative responsibilities and active cancer research. Born in Milan, Italy, Altieri was educated at the University of Milan School of Medicine, completed training in internal medicine, and holds a postgraduate degree in clinical and experimental hematology. His academic career includes positions at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation (1987), Yale University School of Medicine (becoming professor with tenure in 1999), and founding chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (2002). He joined The Wistar Institute in 2010 as Cancer Center Director and Chief Scientific Officer, becoming President and CEO in 2015. Altieri's research focuses on cellular adaptation mechanisms or 'plasticity' exploited by cancer for disease progression. His laboratory investigates mitochondrial functions in cancer, including bioenergetics, reactive oxidative species buffering, inter-organelle communication with the endoplasmic reticulum, and retrograde gene expression. His work demonstrates that mitochondrial reprogramming is a universal cancer trait imparting unique plasticity to tumor responses across all disease stages. The lab has pioneered mitochondria-targeted cancer therapeutics, developing compounds like Gamitrinib that entered clinical trials (NCT04827810). Analysis of Altieri's recent publications (2020-2024) reveals a strategic evolution from foundational work on mitochondrial dynamics in tumor cell motility toward understanding Parkin protein's role in tumor immunity and metastasis suppression. His research spans molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications, increasingly incorporating tumor microenvironment and immune system interactions, with direct translational impact. Altieri's laboratory team includes Research Assistant Professors Jagadish Ghosh, Ph.D. and Michela Perego, Ph.D., and Postdoctoral Fellow Minjeong Yeon, Ph.D. His research has received significant NIH funding including R35 CA220446 and R01 CA286080 grants. The laboratory employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning biochemical, cellular, and molecular techniques, xenograft and genetic animal models, and analysis of clinically-annotated patient samples. The Altieri Laboratory operates within The Wistar Institute's NCI-designated cancer center. His team discovered and characterized the survivin gene (with over 10,500 PubMed citations), establishing it as a fundamental cancer gene and therapeutic target. Recent work on Parkin's dual role in suppressing tumor traits while activating innate immunity opens new avenues for cancer immunotherapy development.
Professor Pipsa Saharinen is a faculty member at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology within the Faculty of Medicine . Her research focuses on vascular biology, lymphatic system dynamics, and cancer therapy, particularly investigating mechanisms regulating endothelial cell behavior and vascular integrity. She holds grants from the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, Cancer Foundation (Syöpäsäätiö), and the Academy of Finland, supporting projects like Biological Barrier Mechanics and Disease and Translational Cancer Medicine Program . Her work includes collaborations in the Helsinki In Vivo Animal Imaging Platform , enhancing translational research capabilities. Her scientific contributions span over 75 publications, emphasizing vascular mechanotransduction, lymphangiogenesis, and targeted therapies for metastatic cancers. Key findings include cytoskeletal regulation in lymphatic endothelium resilience and the protective role of Pim3 kinase in vascular barriers. Awards: Pfizer Scholar in Cancer Research (2001), Best Biomedical Thesis (2004) Supervised: Postdoctoral researchers (e.g., Anne Pink, Elina Kiss) and doctoral candidates in biomedical and integrative life sciences. Current research explores molecular mechanisms underlying vascular barrier function and metastasis, with clinical implications for cancer treatment and lymphatic disorders.
