Taija Mäkinen – Regulation of the lymphatic vasculature
The aim of our research is to understand how lymphatic vessels are formed and to gain insight into the mechanisms that underlie lymphatic disorders.
The lymphatic vasculature constitutes a network of vessels critical for the maintenance of the body’s fluid balance. Failure of lymphatic vessels can lead to a disabling disease called lymphoedema for which there is no cure or effective treatment.
Emerging evidence shows that the lymphatic vasculature plays critical roles, beyond passive transport of fluid, in important physiological processes and common diseases. Understanding mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis may thus enable development of new therapies for common diseases that affect a large number of people worldwide.
Our laboratory aims to understand how endothelial cells lining lymphatic vessels integrate signals from multiple sources in a complex tissue environment to coordinate vascular morphogenesis and functional specialisation. We also investigate how regulators of developmental (lymph)angiogenesis impact genetic human diseases such as lymphoedema and vascular malformations, and how endothelial cells and vessels contribute to various diseases.
For more information about our research, see www.makinenlab.com