Denise Teber (alumna)

VE-cadherin modifications and binding partners regulate endothelial junctions

Venous malformations are composed of enlarged and distorted vein, changes induced by increased Tie-2 signaling. But not all patients harbor a mutation in the Tie-2 gene. Identifying new mutations in genes involved in the Tie-2 pathway could help to identify new therapeutic targets.

Leukocyte extravasation is a crucial process to fight invaded pathogens. Although a lot of research has been conducted in the last years, it is still not fully understood how endothelial contacts open to allow leukocytes to leave the vascular system and fight the infection in the affected tissue.