Education
M.S., School of Medicine, Strasbourg, France (1989-1990)
Pharm.D., L. Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France (1986-1991)
Ph. D., Laval University, Québec, Canada (1992-1995)

Appointment
Research Scientist
Adjunct Assistant Professor in Pediatrics
Adjunct Assistant Professor in Molecular and Cellular Biology Interdisciplinary Program

Research Interests
My research interests involve skin, epidermal development and regeneration. The homeostasis of the epidermis is provided by stem cells that persist through the lifetime of the organism and allow the continous renewal of the tissue. One of our studies demonstrated that epidermal stem cells could be used as cell based therapy for tissue regeneration and accelerated the restoration of the blood flow in a diabetic ischemic limb (Jiao et al, 2004). By themselves, the epidermal stem cells have proangiogenic properties that make them a therapeutic alternative for wound healing and other ischemic disorders (Oberley et al, 2008).

If neovascularization is critical in tissue regeneration, epithelial migration and differentiation also contribute to close embryological seams and adult wounds. Epidermal cells (keratinocytes) execute a well-ordered program of differentiation that leads to four distinct layers, the outermost providing a barrier function to the environment. Ingraham et al recently identified Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 (Irf6) as a key regulator of epidermal proliferation and differentiation. We are currently investigating the role of Irf6 in skin regeneration and pathological conditions.

Lab Members
Leah Olson, Graduate Student
Mark Le, Research Assistant and Medical Student
Lindsey Rhea, Honors Student in Biology

Model System
Tissue culture, tissue engineering, human samples, genetically modified mice, in vivo and in vitro wound healing models

Recent Publications
Oberley, C. C., Gourronc, F., Hakimi, S., Bronner, S., Jiao, C., Dunnwald, M. Murine epidermal side-population possess unique angiogenic properties. Exp. Cell Res., 314(4): 720-728, 2008

Schatteman, G. C., Dunnwald, M., Jiao, C. Biology of bone marrow derived endothelial cell precursors. Am. J. Physiol. Heart and Circ. 292(1): H1-H18, 2007

Ingraham, C. R., Kinoshita, A., Kondo, S., Yang, B., Dunnwald, M., Sajan, S., Trout, K. J., Malik, M. I., Lovett, M., Murray, J. C., Schutte, B. Abnormal skin, limb and craniofacial morphogenesis in mice deficient for Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 (Irf6). Nat Genet 38(11); 1335-40, 2006

Research lab site

Contact Information: E-mail: martine-dunnwald@uiowa.edu