Research in our laboratory is focused on
inherited diseases of the elastic fiber system. Elastic fibers are
multiprotein polymer complexes of the extracellular matrix that
provide resilience to tissues in many organs including blood
vessels, lungs and skin. Recent studies, including work in our
laboratory, show that in addition to their mechanical function
elastic fiber proteins are important for differentiation and
organogenesis. We take a genetic approach to further understand
these functions by identifying disease-causing mutations in
patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis, and obstructive
vascular disease, or cutis laxa, a skin disease characterized by
redundant skin. The mechanisms leading to these diseases are
further elucidated by analyzing tissue samples from patients, cell
culture and animal models.
Contact Information
Zsolt Urban, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Genetics Washington University School of Medicine McDonnell Pediatric Research Building 660 South Euclid Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63110 Phone: (314) 286-2973 Fax: (314) 286-2893 Email:
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
