Principal Investigator: Professor Thomas H. Barker
Department of Biomedical Engineering
School of Engineering & School of Medicine
University of Virginia
the matrix biology and engineering lab
what we do
Novel Regulators of Cell Mechanotransduction
The quiet influence of Thy-1
Thy-1, and perhaps numerous GPI-linked, integrin binding membrane proteins, have tremendous potential to alter how cells sense and respond to their mechanical environment.
Hijacking the Cell's Mechanotransduction Machinery
Finding the leverage point
A host of intracellular signaling molecules and transcription factors help realize the cell's intended responses to the mechanical microenvironment.
Hey, don't forget the Matrix
Fibronectin is our hyper-elastic friend
Fibronectin and many other ECM proteins exhibit significant molecular deformation under force. Do these deformations drive meaningful altered interactions with cells?
Time is not on our side
The incongruity between acute mechanotransduction and chronic disease progression
How mechanotransduction within cells and the matrix drive lasting changes in tissue remodeling are incompletely understood.
the motley crew
Countless hours, poor pay, and an absent-minded Principal Investigator all qualify these guys as heroes & lab rats!
Lab Specialist III
Mary helps keep us pointed in the right direction and anchors down the fort. Her research focuses on animal models of fibrosis.
Senior Scientist (UVA)
Vincent's research focuses on endogenous heterogeneity in fibroblast mechanotransduction.
Postdoctoral Fellow (UVA)
Wei's research is focused on fibronectin mechanics and deformation under force.
Postdoctoral Fellow (UVA)
Ping is focused on further exploring Thy-1's role in directing integrin signaling and mechanotransduction.
NIH MD/PhD Predoctoral Fellow, 5th Year (GT)
Dwight is developing novel gene-based therapies that leverage cell mechanotransduction.
NSF and NIH Predoctoral Fellow, 5th Year (GT)
Vicky's research is focused on how post-translational modifications to the provisional (wound healing) ECM alter fibroblast phenotype.
GAANN Predoctoral Fellow,
5th Year (GT Chemistry)
Haylee is working on a therapeutic antibody that blocks specific cell-ECM interactions and we believe could inhibit myofibroblast differentiation.
NSF Predoctoral Fellow,
4th Year (GT BME)
John is now working on the development of unique platelet-like particles for hemostasis and endeavors to get us to Phase I clinical trials!
2nd Year PhD Student
(UVA BME)
Leandro is using directed evolution and antibody engineering to improve a potential fibrosis theranostic we developed in the lab.
2nd Year PhD Student
(UVA Pathology)
Riley is studying the potential for mechanical cues and cytokine signaling to impact pericyte participation in tissue regeneration and fibrosis.
Alum
Ph.D. & Postdoc (PD)
Dr. Sarah Stabenfeldt (PD '07-'10) - Asst Professor, Arizona St.
Dr. Ashley Brown (PhD & P.D. '06-'15) - Asst Professor @ NC State/UNC
Dr. Allyson Soon (PhD '06-'12) - Research Scientist @ Nanyang Tech Univ.
Dr. Rodney Averett (PD '07-'10)- Assistant Professor, Univ. of Georgia
Alum
Ph.D. & Postdoc (PD)
Dr. Kelly Clause (PD '07-'10) - unknown
Dr. Lizhi Cao (PhD '08-'13)- Postdoc Fellow,
Biogen Idec
Dr. Marilyn Markowski (PhD '09-'13)- Postdoc Biomed Engr, Halyard Health
Dr. Vincent Fiore (PD '08-'14)- Postdoc Fellow, Elaine Fuchs Lab, Rockefeller
Alum
Ph.D. & Postdoc (PD)
Dr. Alison Douglas (PhD '10-'15)- Research Scientist, Suneris
Dr. Anton Bryksin (PD '12-'13)- Director, Molecular Evolution Core Facility @ GA Tech
Dr. Michelle Gaines (PD '15-'16)- Postdoctoral Fellow, GA Tech
Lab
We're all just trying to find happiness
The folks in my lab remind me that we are each on a journey. Sometimes we have detours and sometimes we find ourselves unintentionally in the fast lane. They help me on my journey every day and I hope, in return, I help them find their way too.
Family
My own "regenerative medicine" experiment
In collaboration with Dr. Shannon Barker, I am attempting to grow two small organisms that share remarkable similarities to the collaborative team at both the molecular and macroscopic scale.
Friends
The small band of humans that tolerate me
Thankfully a handfull of individuals put up with me and for that I'm very grateful. These folks share a common love for food, travel, and family
Food
Yeah, major driver in my life
I have a healthy love for cooking and eating. I like to cook and eat just about anywhere I am. Eating is good and I particularly like eating at places that take you someplace you've never been before.
our universe
Links to resources, societies, and random things
Lab Protocols/Research Images
Quartzy
American Society for Matrix Biology
American Thoracic Society
TERMIS
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society
Society for Biomaterials
Connect With Us
We're always looking for eager, ambitious students, postdocs, and scientists
PubMed
Google Scholar
Research Gate
LinkedIn
Email
BME Department
University of Virginia
MR5, Rm 1225
415 Lane Rd.
Charlottesville, VA 22904
(434) 924-1729
