Systems Biomedicine

Dr. Ishmael’s research focuses on the use of new chemical entities from marine organisms and fungi as tool compounds to disrupt cell signaling and proteostasis in human cancer cells. With a special interest in glioblastoma, our goal is to identify and validate novel druggable targets for the treatment of human disease.

We are studying tissue regeneration and wound-healing using mice-models and 3D-human bioprinted skin. We utilize biodegradable nanofibers loaded with growth-factors, anti-microbial peptides and exosomes for efficient healing of chronic wounds in diabetes and hypoxia. Anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-oxidant effects of bioactive compounds from hemp, hops and meadowfoam are being investigated.

The Philmus lab’s research centers on bioactive natural products (aka secondary metabolites) from bacteria with a focus on cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria). We develop synthetic biology protocols, bioinformatics programs, and analytical chemistry methodologies to identify, isolate and study these compounds with the potential to serve as drug leads to combat cancer and microbial infections. 

The Indra laboratory is investigating the mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between skin-cells and role of microenvironment in atopic-dermatitis, vitiligo, tumor-heterogeneity and in metastatic melanoma. We discovered different factors that regulate UV-induced melanocyte/epidermal stem-cell survival, proliferation and migration. The anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing effects of bioactive natural compounds are further studied.

Dr. Filtz's general research interest is in signal transduction. As a pharmacologist, her lab has studied post-translational regulation of signaling proteins and transcription factors associated with T cell leukemias and atrial fibrillation, and the effects of natural products on heart cells.

I am interested in complex biological systems: networks of genes and proteins, neurons in the brain, and words in spoken and written language. My theory of Sloppy Models has important implications for systems in ecology, chemistry, neuroscience, physics, and even atmospheric science. 

The Kioussi laboratory is interested in defining the gene regulatory networks involved in organ development and energy balance systems. Their studies serve as the foundation for development of future strategies and pharmacological interventions that influence the maintenance and differentiation potential of cell populations in patients with congenital defects and disrupted metabolic fuel homeostasis.