Eileen M. Shore

Eileen M. Shore, Ph.D. is the Cali and Weldon Research Professor in FOP at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. She serves as Co-Director of the Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders and Director of the Developmental Grants Program within the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Shore holds multiple prestigious affiliations including Full Member of the Institute for Human Gene Therapy, Member of the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Member of the Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, Full Member of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and Member of the Penn Medicine Center for Orphan Disease Research and Therapy.

Dr. Shore received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Notre Dame (1976), her M.A. in Biology from Indiana University (1978), and her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania (1987).

Her research program centers on the genetic regulation of cell differentiation and tissue development through investigations of rare human genetic diseases of extra-skeletal bone formation. She has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH), identifying the genetic causes and exploring the cellular and molecular basis of dysregulated stem cell fates. Her work develops in vitro and in vivo models to understand mutation consequences and develop therapeutic strategies for these debilitating conditions.

Analysis of Dr. Shore's publication record reveals a consistent focus on heterotopic ossification mechanisms spanning over two decades. Her research has evolved from initial genetic discovery (identifying ACVR1 mutations in FOP and GNAS mutations in POH) to detailed mechanistic studies of how these mutations alter BMP and G-protein signaling pathways. Recent work increasingly examines biomechanical signaling interactions with genetic pathways and immune cell involvement in heterotopic ossification processes, reflecting a sophisticated multi-disciplinary approach to these rare disorders.

Dr. Shore maintains an active laboratory environment with numerous students, postdocs, and research specialists. Her lab personnel as of Spring 2019 included students from the Cell and Molecular Biology program, post-doctoral researchers, and research specialists. She collaborates extensively with clinicians and scientists including Frederick Kaplan MD, Rob Mauck PhD, Foteini Mourkioti PhD, Mary Mullins PhD, and Maurizio Pacifici PhD, demonstrating the translational nature of her research bridging basic science and clinical application.

Her laboratory focuses on understanding how genetic mutations lead to ectopic bone formation, with particular emphasis on the cellular and molecular regulation of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in heterotopic ossification. Current projects investigate immune cell roles in supporting heterotopic ossification, biomechanical signaling pathway interactions with ACVR1 signaling, and the regulatory cell fate 'switch' that leads to increased osteogenesis in POH.