About our Research
Targeting estrogen signaling for aged skin repair
Did you know that chronic wounds disproportionately affect older adults? These debilitating non-healing wounds result in significant physical, social, and psychological burdens. Current treatments do not take into consideration the particularities of aged skin and often fail to restore tissue homeostasis. We already know that the age-associated 17β-estradiol (E2) deficiency plays a critical role in elderly impaired wound healing; however, there is still a critical knowledge gap on how to safely restore E2 signaling in the wounded skin. Given the progressive, degenerative effects of E2 deficiency, our research aims to test whether estrogen signaling can be modulated locally in chronic wounds of the elderly to promote robust healing using an unprecedented regenerative medicine approach.
Modulating the secretion of stem cells for better healing
Burn injuries are a major global public health problem. Aside from patient suffering, the economic burden of burn wound care is estimated to exceed billions of dollars per year. Large and complex wounds require surgical interventions with autologous epidermal grafts, a strategy with nearly a 35% failure rate. Even when closure is achieved, the result is often weak and thin skin or retracted scars. Novel groundbreaking cell-free approaches based on cell-secreted bioactive factors avoid the hurdles of cellular therapies and are the most promising in regenerative medicine. However, despite longstanding research efforts, there is still a critical knowledge gap on how to promote adequate repair following partial and full-thickness skin wounds. Our work aims to understand the mechanisms and develop new therapeutics leading to robust skin wound healing using tissue engineering, stem cells, and their secreted factors.
Unraveling the role of estrogens in longevity and healthspan
Exciting recent research has discovered that a specific type of estrogen called 17α-E2 can significantly increase healthspan and lifespan in male mice. This estrogen is different from the one commonly studied, called 17β-E2, which is known for its role in reproductive functions. Despite being historically labeled as a "weak" form of estrogen, studies have now shown that 17α-E2 can have powerful anti-aging effects in mice. Intrigued by this paradox, we partnered with Dr. Paul Cooke's lab to investigate how 17α-E2 works to promote longevity. By better understanding how 17α-E2 acts, we hope to uncover new insights in the biology of aging and potentially develop therapies for healthy aging.
Veterinary mesenchymal stem cell banking
Our lab is working to collect, isolate, characterize, and bank adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from dogs, cats, and horses for use in innovative regenerative medicine applications. We are now partnering with clinicians from the UF Veterinary Hospitals, including Dr. Ronald Goncalves, to test the potential for these cells and their secreted factors to treat multiple clinical debilitating conditions.