معرفی
Professor Tsutomu Kume holds primary appointments in the Department of Medicine (Cardiology) with secondary appointments in Pharmacology and Ophthalmology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. His research spans cardiovascular development, stem cell biology, and lymphatic/angiogenic processes.
Dr. Kume earned his PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1996. His research focuses on Foxc transcription factors in cardiovascular development and disease, with emphasis on (lymph)angiogenesis, retinal vascular disorders, and valvular pathologies. Key interests include molecular mechanisms of blood vessel growth, stem/progenitor cell regulation, and therapeutic targeting of vascular diseases.
His recent publications reveal trends in transcription factor signaling (particularly FOXC1/FOXC2), hemodynamic force responses in valve disease, and organ-specific lymphatic functions. Work spans mouse models, molecular genetics, and translational applications for conditions like retinopathy and myxomatous valve degeneration.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Fellow, American Heart Association (2001-Present)
Dr. Kume actively mentors through collaborative projects (e.g., with PhD student Erin Lambers on cardiac cell regeneration) and serves on major editorial boards including Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology and Developmental Dynamics. He leads significant grant-funded work through Northwestern's Center for Genetic Medicine and Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics.
He directs research within the Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center and collaborates extensively with the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and NUCATS. Current initiatives include gene therapy approaches for corneal clarity disorders and molecular investigations of venous valve disease.
