Gene signatures of the ‘lymphaticome’

Project Details

The lymphatic system is a hierarchical system- comprised of lymphatic endothelial cells-that is integral to fluid homeostasis, absorption of dietary fat and immune cell surveillance. The lymphatic system can be hijacked during cancer to promote metastasis to distant organ sites and a dysfunctional lymphatic system can lead to debilitating a disease such as Lymphodema, the swelling of soft tissue often in the extremities. Lymphatic vessels are present in most organ tissues such as skin, liver, kidney, pancreas, heart, digestive tract, lymphoid organs and more recently, discovered in the brain. The nature and morphology of lymphatics would therefore reflect their function within a given organ system. We would like to gain an understanding of the genetic signatures of the “lymphaticome”. This information will allow for a greater understanding of the lymphatic system and diseases relating to it and provide an avenue to develop organ specific therapeutics. The project will develop skills in cell purification and cell biology, FACs, microarray, bioinformatics and animal models of disease.

This project is conducted in St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Lympathic and Regenerative Surgery Group, (O’Brien Institute Department of SVI).