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Research Focus

Muscle development and regeneration

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a devastating disorder that occurs in a large number of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, trauma, cystic fibrosis, HIV, aging and genetic disorders. Research in my laboratory focuses on the mechanisms of muscle regeneration and regulation of satellite cell (muscle progenitor cell) function. 

We have recently shown that that homeobox transcription factor Barx2 is a new important component of the muscle molecular program controlling the expansion and differentiation of satellite cells and other muscle progenitors during muscle regeneration. Barx2 regulates plasticity of immature myofibers and might act as a molecular switch in controlling cell differentiation and proliferation.

Our goal is to develop the new strategies that can improve muscle repair.

Molecular mechanisms of lacrimal gland development and regeneration.

The dry eye condition involves chronic lack of ocular surface lubrication; symptoms include inflammation, pain, and in severe cases, blindness. In humans, the lacrimal gland (LG) is the primary contributor to the aqueous layer of the tear film, and dry eye syndrome is typically due to LG malfunction or damage.

Our goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms of lacrimal gland development and regeneration and to identify new biomarkers defining LG stem cell populations during LG development and repair, to isolate and characterize LG progenitor cells, and to assess their regenerative potential using ex vivo and in vivo models. Specifically, we are interested in growth factors/extracellular matrix signaling, lacrimal gland progenitor cell specification and function, and the transcriptional regulation of branching morphogenesis. Our previous studies have shown that members of the (FGF) family are important regulators of lacrimal gland morphogenesis. We have recently isolated the LG progenitor cells. We are also testing different factors that can improve survival and expansion of lacrimal gland progenitor cell cultures.

Our long-term goal is to develop therapeutic approaches for the regeneration of damaged human lacrimal gland.

Professional Experience

2012-present :Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
2008-2012: Assistant Professor, Department of Neurobiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
2001-2012:  Associate Fellow, The Neurosciences Institute, La Jolla, CA
1998-2001:  Associate Research Scientist, Skirball Institute Developmental Genetics Program, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
1996-1997:  MRC Laboratory for Molecular and Cell Biology, University College, London
1994-1996: Wellcome Trust Fellow, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College, London
1989-1994: Independent Research Scientist, Department of Physiology and Cell Structure, Institute of Cytology of Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg
1989: Ph.D. Zoology & Cell Biology, Leningrad State University

Awards & Professional Activities

2012-2013: AFM (French Muscular Dystropy Association) award

Selected References

For a complete list of publications: http://www.scripps.edu/makarenkova/publications.html

Tsau C, Ito M, Gromova A, Hoffman MP, Meech R, Makarenkova HP.  Barx2 and Fgf10 regulate ocular glands branching morphogenesis by controlling extracellular matrix remodeling. Development. 2011 Aug;138(15):3307-17.

Makarenkova H.P., Meech R. The Barx homeobox family in muscle development and regeneration. 2012. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol. 2012; 297:117-73

Makarenkova. H.P., Hoffman, M.P., Beenken, A., Eliseenkova, A.V., Meech, R., Tsau, C., Patel, V.N., Lang, R.A., Mohammadi, M. 2009. Differential Interactions of FGFs with heparin sulfate control gradient formation and branching morphogenesis. Science Signaling. 2(88): ra55. PMCID: PMC2884999

Meech R, Gonzalez KN, Barro M, Gromova A, Zhuang L, Hulin JA, Makarenkova H.P. 2012. Barx2 is expressed in satellite cells and is required for normal muscle growth and regeneration. Stem Cells. 2012 Feb;30(2):253-65.

Meech R, Gomez M, Woolley C, Barro M, Hulin JA, Walcott AC, Delgado J, and Makarenkova HP. The Homeobox Transcription Factor Barx2 Regulates Plasticity of Young Primary Myofibers. PLoS One. 2010; 5(7): e11612.