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Nicole Ward, Ph.D.
Nicole Ward, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of DermatologyDirector of of Morphology Core
Office: Case Western Reserve University, Biomedical Research Building, Rm 529
Phone: (216) 368-1111
Fax: (216) 368-0212
Email: nicole.ward@case.edu
Related Links:
Click here to view Dr. Nicole Ward's publications on Pubmed
Research Summary
Current research in the Ward lab is focused on identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory skin disease and its associated co-morbidities, including atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The lab is focused on: 1. understanding the cellular interactions that exist between nerves, blood vessels and leukocytes in order to identify the molecular mechanisms that sustain chronic inflammation; and 2. actively seeking to identify the cellular events that explain why patients with chronic inflammatory disease, such as Psoriasis are at increased risk for developing and dying of cardiovascular disease.
Our experimental approach utilizes a combination of in vivo mouse molecular genetics and in vitro cell culture methodologies. Using transgenic knockout and overexpression, CreLoxP and tetracycline based technologies we can modulate genes of interest in whole animals, in a tissue and cell specific manner, or in circulating blood cells only, providing us with an in vivo system ideal for studying the interactions between cells belonging to the nervous, vascular and immune systems. This work is further complemented and strengthened with in vitro experimental approaches using immortalized or primary cells from humans and mice coupled with established bioassays involving cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, tubule and neurite formation, outgrowth and explant cultures and co-culture and organ culture experiments.
Ward Lab
Doina Diaconu
Animal Technician
216-368-1130
Doina.Diaconu@case.edu
Case School of Medicine