This proposal describes a 5 year training program for the development of an academic career in Neonatology. The principle investigator is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine who is board certified in General Pediatrics and Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine. She completed a Pediatric residency at Tufts University School of Medicine and a fellowship in Neonatology at Yale University School of Medicine. During her fellowship, the applicant developed a strong interest in cardiovascular development. This program will provide the applicant with an excellent research environment and protected research time to further develop scientifically towards becoming an independent investigator. She will be mentored by Dr. Karen Hirschi, a recognized expert in the field of vascular biology with a strong record of mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The proposed studies include a collaboration with Dr. Mary Dickinson at the Beckman Institute at Caltech, who is pioneering advanced imaging strategies to study early stages of mouse embryonic development. An advisory committee of well established scientists and clinician scientists will provide additional scientific and career guidance. The research proposal focuses on the cellular and molecular regulation of vascular remodeling during embryonic development. Recent data from the Hirschi laboratory have demonstrated that defects in yolk sac remodeling can result from dysregulation of cell cycle control and lack of secreted growth factors from the yolk sac visceral endoderm. This proposal will examine the contribution of cell migration to the process of vascular remodeling.
The specific aims i nclude: 1) Defining the stage-specific role of endothelial cell migration during murine yolk sac vascular development in vivo, 2) Determining which specific visceral endodermal-derived factor(s) regulates endothelial cell migration during vascular remodeling, and 3) Identifying the intracellular signaling pathways that mediate endothelial cell migration during the process of vascular remodeling.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08HL081227-05
Application #
7414368
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CSR-B (M2))
Program Officer
Carlson, Drew E
Project Start
2005-08-01
Project End
2010-05-31
Budget Start
2008-06-01
Budget End
2009-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$127,552
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Enciso, Josephine M; Konecny, Christine M; Karpen, Heidi E et al. (2010) Endothelial cell migration during murine yolk sac vascular remodeling occurs by means of a Rac1 and FAK activation pathway in vivo. Dev Dyn 239:2570-83
Enciso, J M; Hirschi, K K (2007) Nutrient regulation of tumor and vascular endothelial cell proliferation. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 7:432-7