Lynne Postovit
Affiliations
Associate Scientist, Division of Genetics & Development, Children’s Health Research Institute
Assistant Professor, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
How my research helps children
We are interested in how stem cells make the decision to grow forever or to form tissues like the pancreas, the heart and the placenta. By understanding these processes we may one day be able to regenerate tissues and cure diseases. We are also trying to understand what makes cancer cells grow forever and spread. Our aim is to try to prevent the spread of cancer, so that patients afflicted with this disease can lead a long and healthy life.
Research
Current Research Activities
- Understanding what makes stem cells grow forever
- Understanding how cancer cells act like stem cells to grow forever and spread
- Understanding how a new baby (blastocyst) attaches to the uterus and forms a placenta
Research Team
We are a dynamic multidisciplinary team. Our research uses cells, animals, and state-of-the-art technologies like proteomics to understand stem cells in health and disease. Our research team consists of 3 graduate students, several undergraduate students, a research associate and a post-doc. We also have 2 graduate students who are working on collaborative projects with Dr. Lajoie, and another student who is also working with Dr. Battacharya.
Awards & Grants
Awards & Grants
Canada’s Premier Young Researcher Award – Awarded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Funding in support of Role of Oxygen as a Regulator of Tumour Cell Plasticity and Metastatic Potential – Awarded by CIHR
Funding in support Microenvironmental Regulation of Embryonic Stem Cell Fate – Awarded by The University of Western Ontario
Funding in support of A Novel Center to Study the Microenvironment as a Dynamic Regulator of Cell Phenotype – Awarded by Canadian Fund for Innovation (CFI)
Funding in support of Reversal of Disease Progression by Stem Cells – Awarded by State of Illinois Centre Grant to Children’s Memorial Research Center
Recent Publications
Publications
Reactivation of embryonic nodal signaling is associated with tumor progression and promotes the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Lawrence MG, Margaryan NV, Loessner D, Collins A, Kerr KM, Turner M, Seftor EA, Stephens CR, Lai J, APC BioResource, Postovit LM, Clements JA, and Hendrix MJ. Prostate. 2011;71(11):1198-1209.
Proteomics of Human Embryonic Stem Cells.
Hughes CS, Nuhn A, Postovit LM, and Lajoie GA. Proteomics. 2011;11(4):675-690.
Regulation of Nodal expression by Notch4 facilitates the aggressive melanoma phenotype.
Hardy KM, Kirschmann DA, Seftor EA, Margaryan NV, Postovit LM, Strizzi L, and Hendrix MJ. Cancer Research. 2010;70(24):10340-10350.
Matrigel: A Complex Protein Mixture Required for Optimal Growth of Cell Culture.
Hughes CS, Postovit LM, and Lajoie GA. Proteomics. 2010 May;10(9):1886-90
In situ loading of basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) within porous silica nanoparticles for a prolonged release. Zhang J, Postovit LM, Wang D, Gardiner RB, Harris R, Abdul MM, and Thomas AA. Nanoscale Research Letter: Published online July 25.
Β-arrestin/ral signaling regulates lysophosphatidic acid-mediated migration and invasion of human breast tumor cells. Li TT, Alemayehu M, Aziziyeh A, Pape C, Pampillo M, Postovit LM, Mills GB, Babwah AV, and Bhattacharya M. Molecular Cancer Research: 2009 Jul;7(7):1064-77.
Developmental potential of rat extraembryonic stem cells. Galat V, Binas B, Iannaccone S, Postovit LM, Bisrat D, and Iannaccone P. Stem Cells and Development: 2009 Nov;18(9):1309-18. Cover illustration.
Development and cancer: At the crossroads of Nodal and Notch signalling. Strizzi L, Hardy KM, Seftor EA, Costa FF, Kirschmann DA, Seftor REB, Postovit LM, and Hendrix MJC.
Cancer Research. 2009 Sept 15;69(18):OF1–4.
Nodal as a biomarker for melanoma progression and a new therapeutic target for clinical intervention. Strizzi L, Postovit LM, Margaryan NV, Lipavsky A, Gadiot J, Blank C, Seftor REB, Seftor EA, and Hendrix MJC. (2009) Expert Review Dermatology: 2009;4(1):67-78.
Additional publications
Contact
Phone: 519-661-2111 x 80524
Fax: 519-661-3936
Email: lynne [dot] postovit [at] schulich [dot] uwo [dot] ca