Research
What We Do
The Stromal-Immunoengineering Lab (SIEL) uses animal models, biomaterials, and single-cell methods to study immune–stromal crosstalk in tissue fibrosis and regeneration.
We focus on how inflammatory signaling between fibroblasts and immune cells drives cellular heterogeneity in health and disease. Single-cell analysis lets us identify clinically relevant cell subpopulations and phenotypes, revealing mechanisms that underlie disease and pointing to new therapeutic targets.
What Is a Stromal Cell
Stromal cells comprise much of the connective tissue in the body and secrete the extracellular matrix, which is the support system for cells and tissues throughout the body. The most common stromal cells are fibroblasts and pericytes.
Emerging evidence has shown that stromal cells have an influence over the immune response, and in different cases they can suppress or exacerbate an immune response. Scroll down to look at all the different ways we are investigating the interactions between stromal and immune cells!