BME Seminar Series: Dr. Kristyn Masters, Univeristy of Wisconsin

Dr. Kristyn Masters, Vilas Distinguished Professor, H.I. Romnes Faculty Fellow, & Department Vice Chair, Biomedical Engineering

Abstract:

"Engineering the extracellular matrix to study tissue development and disease"

The extracellular matrix (ECM) consists of a complex system of molecules that form the physical scaffolding that sustains tissues and organs. Changes in ECM composition, organization, or architecture are capable of regulating functions ranging from guidance of cellular differentiation during morphogenesis to sequestering pathological stimuli during disease. In this presentation, I will discuss the approaches used by my lab to create engineered platforms that mimic features of the ECM, enabling us decipher the cues that are responsible for regulating tissue development and disease progression. We have merged the construction of 3-D biomaterial scaffolds with genetic manipulation of ex vivo organ cultures to examine how specific microenvironmental properties impact cell behavior, particularly in the context of cardiovascular diseases.

Bio:

Kristyn Masters is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned her B.S. from the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. from Rice University, both in Chemical Engineering. After post-doctoral research at the University of Colorado-Boulder, she joined the faculty at UW-Madison, where her research program focuses on constructing in vitro environments to: 1) understand how cells integrate multiple cues to make ‘decisions’ about their fate, and 2) decipher the sequence of disease pathogenesis and elucidate the key stimuli involved, with a specific focus on cardiovascular dysfunction and disease. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Masters has received numerous teaching awards and has leadership roles in several teaching and mentoring programs.