Cynthia A. Reinhart-King
Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
The research conducted by Cynthia Reinhart-King focuses on elucidating the basic principles of cell adhesion and cell-biomaterial interactions for applications relating primarily to the cardiovascular system. The central mission of this work is to understand the mechanisms that drive tissue formation. This work uses a multidisciplinary approach involving principles from cell biology, biophysics, biomaterials and biomechanics to guide the development of materials for tissue engineering applications and the development of novel therapeutics. Of particular interest are the physiology of blood vessel formation and the pathophysiology of vascular disease.
At a molecular level, this work involves characterizing the role of intracellular structural and signaling proteins in governing cell adhesion and tissue development specifically as it pertains to blood vessel formation. At the cellular level, the properties of the extracellular matrix environment, both chemical and mechanical, are manipulated and exploited to control endothelial cell behaviors such as growth, adhesion and migration. At the tissue level, this work includes elucidating the properties of the extracellular matrix that foster healthy tissue formation from individual cell populations. Biophysical and biochemical techniques are exploited to quantitatively characterize cell behavior in both normal and diseased states. Using Traction Force Microscopy, our group was the first to quantify the forces exerted by endothelial cells on their substrate in response to both chemical and mechanical cues during cell spreading and adhesion, providing key insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell-biomaterial interactions. The ultimate goal is to determine governing parameters that can used to predict and control cell behavior in order to form new tissues. Knowledge gained in these areas will provide insight into treating a number of diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Education
- Postdoc, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester.
- PhD 2006, Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
- SB 2000, Chemical Engineering, MIT
- SB 2000, Biology, MIT
