In the Ghiaur Lab, our goal is to investigate how the bone marrow microenvironment controls stem cell biology.

Lab Members

Research

My graduate and postgraduate work focused on normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) functions. Using models of murine and human hematopoiesis, my research focused on fundamental processes that define HSCs such as migration, self-renewal and differentiation. Late in my postgraduate work, I focused on complex interactions between bone marrow microenvironment and HSCs. These efforts contributed to our understanding of how bone marrow microenvironment communicates with HSCs via gap junctions and thus, cytoplasmic to cytoplasmic communications. In this regard, the microenvironment serves as a scavenger of reactive oxygen species and protects HSCs. More so, we have revealed that the bone marrow stroma protects human HSCs from the pro-differentiation effects of vitamin A. Our findings, suggest that HSCs are intrinsically programmed to undergo differentiation, form blood and thus, rapidly disappear. The microenvironment appears poised to prevent rapid HSC differentiation and maintain them for the lifetime of the individual.

Most recently, my laboratory has found that the stem cell niche via expression of drug metabolizing enzymes creates a virtually drug free “sanctuary” where malignant HSCs are protected from systemic chemotherapy. By understanding how various niches in the bone marrow contribute to such resistance, my laboratory together with clinical translational colleagues at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere are now developing and testing clinical tools that target the bone marrow microenvironment to improve outcomes in hematological malignancies. While our work in this area continues, we are now well situated to expand our finding beyond the realm of hematological malignancies and into oncology in general.

Normal and Oncologic Tissue Collection Hub (NOTCH)

N.O.T.C.H. Mission and Services

• To serve as a centralized tissue/cell processing and storing facility for the Hematologic Malignancies  Division.
• To maintain the sample acquisition related to J0969 protocol.
• To facilitate collaborations between hematologic malignancies division at Johns Hopkins University and academia as well as industry partners.
• To offer technical support for collaborative studies in blood and marrow trials.

• Bogdan Paul, Operational and Technical Support
• Lisa Baker, CRMS Liaison
• Suzanne Bell, Data Manager
• Maili Winthers, Financial Consultant