FAK, Lamellipodin, and Survivin as Potential Mechanotherapeutic Targets in Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
This project explores how survivin, a key protein in stiffness-dependent cellular processes, regulates vascular and cardiac cell behaviors linked to cardiovascular diseases.
Project is Not Currently Available
This project is not being offered for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.
Project description
Tissue stiffening is a key mechano-pathological risk factor in cardiovascular disease and cancer, as increased stiffness promotes migration and proliferation of various cell types, including vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), fibroblasts, and cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these stiffness-dependent responses remain unclear, limiting the development of targeted therapeutics in mechanomedicine, which applies mechanobiological insights to disease diagnosis and treatment. We recently found that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation and the expression of survivin and lamellipodin are markedly increased in these cells cultured on stiff substrates (mimicking diseased tissues) compared to soft substrates (mimicking healthy tissues), mediating stiffness-dependent proliferation and migration as determined by quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, immunostaining, and cell proliferation and motility assays. Yet, critical questions remain regarding how FAK, survivin, and lamellipodin regulate (Project 1) migration and (Project 2) proliferation of VSMCs, fibroblasts, and brain cancer cells. Recent transcriptomic data identified several candidate genes that may serve as key downstream regulators of these proteins in migration and proliferation, which will be validated in these cell types. This funding will support two undergraduate students to experimentally test these candidates, present their findings at regional and international conferences, and contribute to a manuscript.
Project outcome
Students will present their findings at local, regional, and international conferences and contribute to research publications. For example, several of my students have delivered oral and poster presentations at the American Society for Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering Society meetings, as well as UB undergraduate conferences. Results from these studies have been and will continue to be submitted for publication.
Learning outcomes
Students will develop skills in reading scientific literature, critical thinking, and experimental design, along with technical proficiency in molecular and biochemical techniques, including immunoblotting, immunostaining, quantitative PCR, fluorescence and time-lapse microscopy, transcriptomic analysis, biomaterial fabrication, and image analysis. They will analyze data from vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and glioblastoma (brain cancer) cells to investigate how tissue stiffening and the FAK–survivin–lamellipodin pathway regulate proliferation, motility, and molecular signaling associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer progression. Students will strengthen oral and written communication through regular discussions with their research mentor and lab members.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Year-long; 10-12 months |
| Start time | Spring |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Potential academic credit and/or stipend |
| Who is eligible | Sophomores and Juniors; Applicants should have prior experience in mammalian cell culture and practical skills in molecular and biochemical experiments. Completion of relevant coursework, such as cell biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology, is strongly recommended and will strengthen the candidate’s application. Students should demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a laboratory setting. Motivation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn new techniques and engage with ongoing research projects are essential for success in this program. |
Project mentor
Yongho Bae
Assistant Professor
Pathology and Anatomical Sciences
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. After you’re approved to begin the project, your mentor will send the relevant materials. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
- Reading articles or books
Keywords
cell biology, mechanobiology, pathology, mechanomedicine, diseases, anatomical sciences, medicine