Jeremiah Zartman
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame
The development of the human body from a single cell to many trillions of cells is an exceedingly complex process that depends on precise communication between cells. The process of cell communication results in cell differentiation into multiple types. Cellular identity is manifested in biophysical attributes such as size, shape, and function. Organ shape and function emerge from interactions between many cell types. A breakdown in cell signaling results in birth defects and diseases that arise later, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, or Alzheimer’s.
The Zartman laboratory seeks to identify the fundamental biophysical principles that govern cell communication during organ development, regeneration, and aging. Further, we study the consequences ofdisrupted cell signaling spanning multiple scales from the intracellular to organism level. We investigate how cells integrate complex signals (inputs) to coordinate their behavior (outputs). To do so, we develop cell-, organ- and whole-animal models to investigate the molecular basis of organ development quantitatively. We employ various biophysical methods, including microfluidics, light microscopy, optogenetics, and computational modeling, to test mechanisms governing the formation and repair of organs. This process requires both cell signaling and mechanical feedback. We also create methods to image, culture, and analyze thick tissues and organs. These research efforts provide new perspectives into the causes of birth defects, tissue degeneration, and aging. In turn, this knowledge advances the development of new methods in regenerative medicine.