معرفی
Dr. Mara E. Pitulescu serves as Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Münster, Germany, heading the Vascular Patterning Dynamics laboratory. She is actively involved in the "Cells in Motion" research network, serves as Supervisor in the CiM-IMPRS Graduate Programme, and is a Member of the Imaging Network – Microscopy.
Her research focuses on endothelial cell biology, angiogenesis, arterial formation, tissue patterning, and organogenesis. Dr. Pitulescu investigates how endothelial cells make fate decisions and dynamically communicate to control vascular network assembly during development and disease. Her laboratory employs advanced methodologies including mouse genetics, high-resolution imaging, in vitro models, biochemical assays, and next-generation sequencing techniques to decode molecular mechanisms of vascular patterning.
Analysis of her publication record reveals a consistent focus on vascular development mechanisms, particularly artery formation. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with potential applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, addressing the critical challenge of vascularization in engineered tissues.
Dr. Pitulescu actively mentors graduate students through the CiM-IMPRS program and collaborates within multiple research networks. Her laboratory receives funding from the Max Planck Society (MPG), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and CRC1348 (SFB/Collaborative Research Center 1348), with previous support from FOR2325.
The Vascular Patterning Dynamics laboratory investigates how endothelial cells adapt their behavior according to vascular bed, functionality, and organ environment to coordinate vascular network assembly. Current research examines organ-specific vascular patterning mechanisms and arterial formation in both health and disease contexts, with implications for improving vascularization in engineered tissues.
