Jonathon Reeck, Ph.D.

Summary: Students in my research group study cells to understand how they both create and maintain healthy tissues. A tissue is a group of cells that are well organized and work together. While the initial organization is established during development, events during life require cells to create new tissue that integrates with old tissue. For example, joint injury, broken bones, wounds, and even tumor growths all require new tissue to integrate with old. Research that starts at the molecular and cell level has led to fantastic innovations that improved medical care. The knowledge gained with our research continues this tradition by improving detection of disease and creating new cell based therapies.

Minimum Courses: Cell biology

Projects: Students will study the growth of brain tumors using 3D cell culture. The goal is to determine how we can detect new tumors and slow the rate of growth. The student will learn how to culture cells and detect changes using light and fluorescence microscopy techniques. As part of the group, they will also detect changes in gene and protein expression and how these molecules enable changes in the cell and tissue shape. Another project focuses on improving the growth of cartilage for use as a cell based therapy for joint repair.