We are currently conducting research in the field of cellular and tissue engineering as applied to the vascular system. One of the major obstacles in engineering vascularized tissue is induction of endothelial vessel networks. To this end, Dr. Rabbany's research applies engineering principles to the advancements being made in the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells toward engineering vascularized tissue. The projects range from utilizing scaffolds to promote 3-D structures which provides physical cues for cell orientation and spreading, to elucidating the role of biochemical and biophysical environment on vascular cells and engineering of vascularized constructs.
Ginsberg M, James D, Ding BS, Nolan D, Butler JM, Schachterle W, Pulijaal VR, Rosenwaks Z, Shido K, Elemento O, Rabbany SY, and Rafii, S. Efficient direct reprogramming of mature human amniotic cells into endothelial cells by ETS factors and TGF suppression. Cell. 151(3):559-75, 2012. PMID:23084400
Ding BS, Nolan DJ, Peipei G, Babazadeh AO, Cao Z, Rosenwaks Z, Crystal RG, Simons M, Sato TN, Shido K, Rabbany SY, and Rafii, S. Endothelial-derived angiocrine signals induce and sustain regenerative lung alveolarization. Cell. 47(3):539-53, 2011. PMID22036563
Ding BS, Nolan DJ, Butler JM, James D, Babazadeh A, Rosenwaks Z, Mittal V, Kobayashi H, Shido K, Lyden D, Sato TN, Rabbany SY, and Rafii, S. Inductive signals from sinusoidal endothelial cells initiate and sustain physiological liver regeneration. Nature. 468(7321):310-5, 2010. PMID21068842
Henderson, P.W., Singh, S.P., Krijgh, D., Yamamoto, M., Rafii, D., Sung, J.J., Rafii, S., Rabbany, S.Y., Spector, J.A. Stromal-derived factor-1 delivered via hydrogel drug-delivery vehicle accelerates wound healing in vivo. Wound Repair & Regeneneration. 19(3):420-5. 2010. PMID:21068842
Seandel M, Butler JM, Kobayashi H, Hooper AT, White IA, Zhang F, Vertes EL, Kobayashi M, Zhang Y, Shmelkov SV, Hackett NR, Rabbany S, Boyer JL and Rafii, S. Generation of a functional and durable vascular niche by the adenoviral E4ORF1 gene. PNAS. 105(49):19288-93, 2008. PMID19036927