Feilim Colm Mac Gabhann, Ph.D.

The Mac Gabhann Lab is involved in research projects including: 

• Inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in cancer: Using druggable multiscale computational models of the transport and signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), they test therapies to block the signaling pathways that lead to vascularization of tumors and metastasis.
• Promoting vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in ischemic disease: Using druggable multiscale computational models of the transport and signaling of VEGF, they test therapies to increase nonpathological pro-angiogenic signaling that lead to increased perfusion of muscle and other tissues vulnerable to ischemia.
• Microvascular network organization: They study the variability in microvascular network structure in mice from different strains, both before and after intervention. Induced ischemic or other injury results in different remodeling responses that may hold the key to therapy development.
• Impact of extracellular matrix on VEGF signaling: Using a combination of in vitro, in vivo and in silico approaches, they study the ability of extracellular matrix sequestration of VEGF to impact the extracellular VEGF signal as perceived by cell-surface receptors.
• Molecular mechanisms of small-genome diseases – host-virus interactions of HIV: They have created molecular-level simulations of HIV, that complement existing models of viral development and cellular infection. By including the effects of the genes that HIV expresses, particularly those that have evolved to combat our host defenses, they can test new therapies that boost host antiviral responses.