PhD, University of Debrecen, Hungary
Functional role of biglycan, decorin, fibromodulin and lumican in cartilage and intervertebral disc
Gabriella Cs-Szabo, PhD, researches the functional role of the small proteoglycans (biglycan, decorin, fibromodulin and lumican) in cartilage and intervertebral disc in health and diseases. These molecules are present in the matrix of both tissues, and were shown to play important roles in the assembly of the extracellular matrix. Her team has shown major changes in the distribution and fragmentation of these molecules in aging and tissue degeneration. They have also looked at them in the aging process, in osteoarthritis and in the repair that accompany the disease. Her lab has examined how they signal to the cells and influence gene expression, and how they regulate growth factor/cytokine action. Through these actions, these molecules could potentially be used in the treatment of tissue degeneration and osteoarthritis by slowing the degeneration process and promoting well-regulated repair.
R25 GM10942-01A1, Rush Initiative to Maximize Student Development (Rush IMSD), 1.4M, 3/1/15- 12/31/2019, 30% effort, Role: Program Coordinator