Lymphatic system function and dysfunction Professors and Supervisors

Stefan Schulte-Merkerمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of MünsterGermany

Prof. Dr. Stefan Schulte-Merker is a Professor at the University of Münster, where he leads the Institute for Cardiovascular Organogenesis and Regeneration (ICOR) within the Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on vascular and lymphatic biology, particularly using zebrafish as a model system to study developmental processes and disease mechanisms. His research interests include: Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Lymphatic vessel development and function Cardiovascular organogenesis and regeneration Developmental biology using zebrafish models Cell biology of endothelial cells Skeletal mineralization and bone development Prof. Schulte-Merker's laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding lymphatic endothelial cell biology, particularly discovering a unique population of lymphatic endothelial cells in the meningeal layer of the zebrafish brain that function as scavenger cells to remove waste products from the brain parenchyma. His work has implications for understanding neurological injury response and repair mechanisms. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on molecular mechanisms of lymphatic development, particularly involving signaling pathways like Angiopoietin-TIE and VEGFC, as well as the role of extracellular matrix proteins in vascular patterning. His research spans from basic developmental mechanisms to potential implications for human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders and vascular malformations. Prof. Schulte-Merker has received recognition through his students' achievements, including Melina Hußmann's paper being selected as "Paper of the Month" by the Faculty of Medicine in May 2023 and Sanjay Sunil Kumar winning the "best Presentation and Poster prize" at the Gordon Research Conference on Lymphatics in 2024. He actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a lively international research environment focused on cardiovascular science and regeneration. His lab participates in major scientific conferences and has organized workshops such as the Zebrafish Genome Engineering workshop that attracted 108 international participants.

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Isabelle Brunetمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

Max Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineGermany

Isabelle Brunet is a leading neuroscientist and vascular biologist holding a permanent Inserm research position (ranked 1st) at the Interdisciplinary Center for Research in Biology (CIRB) of the Collège de France in Paris. She directs an 8-member research team investigating neurovascular interactions in development and disease using transgenic mouse/fish models, molecular approaches, and 3D-imaging techniques. Her educational foundation includes a PhD in neuroscience under Alain Prochiantz and Christine Holt focusing on axon guidance in the visual system, followed by postdoctoral training with Anne Eichmann in vascular biology and angiogenesis. This dual expertise enables her unique perspective on neurovascular crosstalk. Brunet's research centers on deciphering how neuronal and vascular systems interact during development and in pathological conditions. Her work explores guidance mechanisms (e.g., Ephrin-A4/EphA4, Netrin-1), arterial innervation dynamics, and lymphatic-vascular interactions, with significant implications for understanding chemotherapy-induced neuropathies and vascular disorders. She employs cutting-edge methodologies including tissue-clearing 3D imaging and functional assays to visualize neurovascular interfaces at cellular resolution. Analysis of her 2014-2022 publications reveals consistent advancement in understanding neurovascular patterning, with particular emphasis on sympathetic innervation of arteries, perivascular macrophage heterogeneity, and Schwann cell-vascular interactions. Her work bridges fundamental developmental biology with translational applications in neuropathic pain and vascular pathologies. Brunet actively contributes to scientific governance through evaluations for Inserm CSS, HCERES, Doctoral Schools, and journal/grant reviews. Her leadership extends to mentoring her research team and disseminating findings through publications and presentations. The Molecular Control of Neurovascular Development laboratory at CIRB operates as a dynamic interdisciplinary hub where neuroscientists, vascular biologists, and imaging specialists collaborate using transgenic models and advanced microscopy to unravel neurovascular communication mechanisms. Current projects focus on functional consequences of neurovascular mispatterning in disease contexts.

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John A. Lincolnمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonUnited States

John A. Lincoln, MD, PhD is a Professor of Neurology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), where he serves as Director of the MRI Analysis Center and Co-Director of the Neurology Residency Program. He joined the Multiple Sclerosis research group at UTHealth in 2011 after previously serving on the faculty at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) from 2008-2011. Dr. Lincoln earned his Bachelor of Science in Genetics from Texas A&M University in 1992, followed by a Master's in Microbiology and PhD in Immunology from Texas Tech University. He completed his medical degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2002, followed by a Neurology residency at UT Health Science Center at Houston and a Neuroimmunology fellowship at UMDNJ. His research focuses on neurodegenerative processes in multiple sclerosis, with particular emphasis on glymphatic system dysfunction, cerebrovascular reactivity, spinal cord evaluation, and bladder-related neurological complications. Recent publications demonstrate his integration of advanced MRI techniques with machine learning approaches to predict disease severity and understand MS pathology. Analysis of his publication record from 2008-2024 reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on MS mechanisms and clinical manifestations, with increasing emphasis on neuroimaging biomarkers and computational approaches in recent years. His work spans clinical neurology, neuroimmaging, immunology, and rehabilitation aspects of MS. As Director of the MRI Analysis Center, Dr. Lincoln oversees advanced neuroimaging research and clinical applications. His leadership in the Neurology Residency Program demonstrates his commitment to training the next generation of neurologists specializing in complex neurological disorders. Dr. Lincoln's clinical expertise includes diagnosing and managing multiple sclerosis and immune-mediated neurological disorders, with special attention to neurological complications such as bladder dysfunction and trigeminal neuralgia in MS patients. His multidisciplinary approach bridges basic science discoveries with clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.

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Franklyn Howeمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

St George's, University of LondonUnited Kingdom

Professor Franklyn Howe serves as Professor of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Director of the Neuroscience & Cell Biology Research Institute at City St George's, University of London (formed from the August 2024 merger of St George's, University of London and City University of London). With a career spanning since 1988 at St George's, he has established himself as a leading expert in multimodal MRI applications for disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring, particularly in brain tumor analysis. His work bridges physics, medical imaging, and clinical applications across multiple disease areas. Professor Howe earned his BA in Physics from the University of Oxford, followed by a DPhil on 'Magnetisation and microwave absorption in rare earth metal alloys' from the same institution in 1984. He completed postdoctoral research evaluating MRI contrast agents at St Bartholomew's Hospital and in MR image analysis at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (now part of Imperial College School of Medicine) before joining St George's. Howe's research centers on developing automated analysis of multimodal MRI to aid diagnosis of brain tumors, using various MRI methods including perfusion and diffusion imaging for structural and functional information, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for biochemical data. He applies pattern recognition techniques to optimally combine data from different MRI methods, aiming to develop biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and treatment response monitoring. His work extends beyond brain tumors to dementia, Tourette syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lupus, lymphedema, osteoarthritis, and normal aging. In 1992, he was instrumental in developing MR Neurography at St George's, a non-invasive method for detailed nerve imaging. Analysis of Professor Howe's recent publications (2021-2024) reveals consistent focus on advancing MRI techniques across multiple clinical applications. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration, with significant contributions to lymphatic imaging, brain tumor characterization, neurodegenerative disorders, and quantitative MRI methodology. The publications show progression from fundamental technical improvements in MRI acquisition and processing toward increasingly sophisticated clinical applications, particularly in neuroimaging and vascular disorders. Chair of ISMRM MRS Study Group Co-founder and Chair of Pediatric MR Study Group Long-standing member of International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Professor Howe actively supervises lab-based MRes and BSc student research projects and library-based Special Study Courses on Biomedical Applications of Magnetic Resonance. He has secured substantial research funding from diverse sources including the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer's Research UK, and St George's Hospital Charity. His collaborative approach is evident in the wide range of clinical research studies he participates in across multiple departments. As Director of the Neuroscience & Cell Biology Research Institute, Howe leads a research team including Ian Storey (Image Analyst) and Mike Mills (MRI physicist). He maintains extensive collaborations within St George's with Dr Thomas Barrick, Dr Atticus Hainsworth, Mr Timothy Jones (Neurosurgery), Dr Jeremy Isaacs (Neurology), Dr Pia Ostergaard, Prof Sahar Mansour (Clinical Genetics), Prof Nidhi Sofat (Rheumatology), and Mr Michael Hart (Neurosurgery), creating a robust interdisciplinary research environment focused on translating MRI advances into clinical practice.

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