Matthew P. Hoffman, BDS, PhD, Chief
Mission
The overall goal of the Matrix and Morphogenesis Unit is to understand the mechanisms by which the extracellular matrix and growth factors regulate branching morphogenesis during development. The primary focus is on the fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs), laminin isoforms in the basement membrane, and the activity of proteases during salivary gland branching morphogenesis. We hypothesize that branching morphogenesis requires interaction between the biologic activities of the FGFs, laminins, and proteases, and that there is coordinately regulated gene expression of these three systems during gland development. Our primary model system to explore these hypotheses is the developing mouse submandibular gland. In addition, we are interested in discovering novel genes required for submandibular gland initiation and early branching morphogenesis. We aim to understand basic developmental mechanisms during salivary gland organogenesis to design therapeutic approaches for the functional regeneration of damaged adult salivary tissue.
Personnel