Overview
Dr. Mujica-Urzua is a Chilean-born scientist and educator with a longstanding interest
in the cellular and molecular aspects of endothelial biology. As a science educator, he
is focused on pedagogical approaches that support student learning in Physiology.
- BSc in Biological Sciences (2009), Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile -
Santiago, Chile.
- PhD in Pharmacology & Physiology (2014), Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences - Newark, NJ
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert
Einstein College of Medicine (2014 - 2016) - Bronx, NY
Education
PHD, 2015, Rutgers University
Curriculum Vitae
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Role of molecular movement in the control of endothelial barrier function
The vascular wall operates as a dynamically and selectively permeable barrier
between the blood and the interstitial fluid, a function chiefly regulated by endothelial
cells. This endothelial barrier is transiently disrupted upon inflammatory insult, leading
to increased transport of macromolecules (hyperpermeability) and extravascular
accumulation of fluid, which causes edema---a hallmark of inflammation that underlies
several pathophysiological scenarios.
We are interested in understanding the molecular and cellular regulation of this
transient disruption of barrier function, with a particular focus on several forms of
molecular movement involved in this phenomenon. Using molecular,
biochemical, and imaging methods, we investigate the following key questions:
(1) What are the biochemical signaling pathways that control the onset and the
termination of vascular hyperpermeability?
(2) What is the role of the endosomal recycling system in the subcellular localization of
key proteins known to regulate the hyperpermeability response?
(3) What is the contribution of protein scaffolding modules (AKAPs, ERM proteins,
spectrins) to the regulation of endothelial barrier function?
(4) How are subcellular cyclic nucleotide microdomains established and what is their
relevance for vascular barrier homeostasis?
Our ability to gain insight into these topics may provide a valuable foundation for the
development of novel therapeutic approaches to combat pathologies with a strong
inflammatory component such as metastatic cancer, lupus, and diabetes.
