Prof. Melody A. Swartz |
|
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne Life Sciences Institute of Bioengineering Associate ProfessorAppointed: 2004 Northwestern University Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Biomedical Engineering Adjunct Assistant Professor |
Mailing AddressInstitute of Bioengineering Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) SV/IBI/LMBM Station 15 Lausanne, 1015Switzerland | Contact Information |
Qualifications
B.S., Johns Hopkins University.
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Expertise and Research Interests
Living tissues are complex and mechanically dynamic materials. Cells optimize the architecture and composition of their surroundings according to the mechanical environment. Since macromolecules rely on convection for transport within tissue, their interstitial transport is inherently linked to the interstitial mechanics. We are interested in the relationships between matrix mechanics, fluid movement, and
transport characteristics in living systems. This is based on the more fundamental question of howmechanical forces, such as oscillatory stresses, affect solute transport in gel-like materials. We are developing unique tissue culture systems to study such interactions and draw from several disciplines, including solid and fluid mechanics, polymer science, and cell biology.
A subset of this research focuses on the lymphatic system, which is an important regulator of tissue fluid balance and macromolecular transport. Lymphatic capillaries are mechanically coupled to the extracellular matrix by elastic fibers, and as such, their function depends on interstitial structure and mechanics. We are investigating how mechanical forces such as solid stress help to regulate lymph formation and induce lymphatic cell growth and differentiation.
transport characteristics in living systems. This is based on the more fundamental question of howmechanical forces, such as oscillatory stresses, affect solute transport in gel-like materials. We are developing unique tissue culture systems to study such interactions and draw from several disciplines, including solid and fluid mechanics, polymer science, and cell biology.
A subset of this research focuses on the lymphatic system, which is an important regulator of tissue fluid balance and macromolecular transport. Lymphatic capillaries are mechanically coupled to the extracellular matrix by elastic fibers, and as such, their function depends on interstitial structure and mechanics. We are investigating how mechanical forces such as solid stress help to regulate lymph formation and induce lymphatic cell growth and differentiation.
Other Expertise
Microcirculation
Tissue and cell mechanics
Tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
Role of mechanical forces in airway wall remodeling
Tissue and cell mechanics
Tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis
Role of mechanical forces in airway wall remodeling
Industrial Relevance
In vitro airway wall models for testing remodeling and drug effects
Lymphatic drug delivery
Interstitial drug transport
Lymphatic drug delivery
Interstitial drug transport
Keywords
COS Keywords:
Biological Engineering, Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Cell Differentiation, Fluid Mechanics, Polymer Science, Solid Mechanics, Tissue Engineering.Additional Terms:
Airway Wall Mechanics, Biomechanics, Biotransport, Cell and Tissue Engineering, Interstitial Mechanics and Transport, Lymphangiogenesis, Lymphatic Transport, Mechanotransduction, Tissue Engineering, Tissue Fluid Balance.Languages
(Reading, Writing, Speaking)
French: (Functional, Functional, Basic)
Memberships
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Biomedical Engineering Society
Biomedical Engineering Society
International Society for Lymphology
Microcirculatory Society
Previous Positions
1999-2003, Assistant Professor,
Northwestern University,
McCormick School of Engineering,
Biomedical Engineering
1998-1999, Postdoctoral Fellow,
Brigham and Women's Hospital,
Harvard Medical School,
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
1992-1993, Research Technologist,
Northwestern University,
Anesthesiology
Funding Received
- National Science Foundation (NSF): , 2002 to 2007.
- Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation: , 2002 to 2005.
- Whitaker Foundation: , 2001 to 2004.
- DOD/USAREIM Concept Award in Breast Cancer Research: , 2001 to 2002.
- American Cancer Society, Illinois Division: , 2000 to 2002.
Publications
- B. Pytowski, J. Goldman, K. Persaud, Y. Wu, L. Witte, D.J. Hicklin, M. Skobe, K.C. Boardman, and M.A. Swartz, Complete and Specific Inhibition of Adult Lymphatic Regeneration By a Novel VEGFR-3 Neutralizing Antibody, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 97(1), 14-21, 2005
- J. Goldman, T.X. Le, M. Skobe, and M.A. Swartz, Overexpression of VEGF-C Causes Transient Lymphatic Hyperplasia But Not Increased Lymphangiogenesis in Regenerating Skin, Circulation Research, 96, 1193-1199, 2005
- G.J. Randolph, V. Angeli, and M.A. Swartz, Dendritic Cell Trafficking to Lymph Nodes Via Lymphatic Vessels, Nature Reviews Immunology, 5, 1-12, 2005
- C.P. Ng, C.E. Helm, and M.A. Swartz, Interstitial Flow Differentially Stimulates Blood and Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Morphogenesis in Vitro, Microvascular Research, 68(3), 258-264, 2004
- C.P. Ng and M.A. Swartz, Fibroblast alignment under interstitial fluid flow using a novel 3-D tissue culture model, American Journal of Physiology, 284, H1771-7, 2003
- K.C. Boardman and M.A. Swartz, Interstitial fluid flow as a guide for lymphangiogenesis, Circulation Research, 92(7), 801-808, 18 2003
- M.M.-H. Choe, P.H.S. Sporn, M.A. Swartz, An in Vitro Airway Wall Model of Remodeling, American Journal of Physiology, 285(2), L427-433, 2003
- M.A. Swartz, Signaling in Morphogenesis: Biotransport Cues in Morphogenesis, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 14, 547-550, 2003
- D.J. Tschumperlin, J.D. Shively, M.A. Swartz, E.S. Silverman, K.J. Haley, G. Raab, and J.M. Drazen, Compression of Airway Epithelial Cells Increases Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor Expression By Activation of the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway, American Journal of Physiology, 282, L909-L911, 2002
- K.C. Boardman and M.A. Swartz, The Role of Interstitial Stress in Lymphatic Function and Lymphangiogenesis, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 979, 197-210, 2002
- M.A. Swartz and M. Skobe, Lymphatic function, lymphangiogenesis, and cancer metastasis, Microscopy Research and Technique, 55, 92-99, 2001
- A. Losken, M.A. Swartz, A.D. Van den Abbeele, R.K. Jain, and S.A. Slavin, A potential murine model for flap related investigations, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 107, 1504-1508, 2001
- M.A. Swartz, D.J. Tschumperlin, R.D. Kamm, and J.M. Drazen, Mechanical stress is communicated between cell types to elicit matrix remodeling, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), 98, 6180-6185, 2001
- M.A. Swartz, Physiology of the Lymphatic System, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 50, 3-20, 2001
- P.A. Netti, D.A. Berk, M.A. Swartz, A.J. Grodzinsky, and R.K. Jain, Role of extracellular matrix assembly in interstitial transport in solid tumors, Cancer Research, 60, 2497-2503, 2000
- M.A. Swartz, A. Kaipainen, P.A. Netti, C. Brekken, Y. Boucher, A.J. Grodzinsky, and R.K. Jain, Mechanics of interstitial-lymphatic fluid transport: Theoretical foundation and experimental validation, Journal of Biomechanics, 32, 1297-1301, 1999
- M.A. Swartz, C.K. Kristensen, S. Roberge, R.J. Melder, and R.K. Jain, Cells shed from tumors show reduced in vitro clonogenicity and in vivo tumorigenicity, British Journal of Cancer, 81, 756-759, 1999
- S.A. Slavin, A.D. Van den Abbeele, A. Losken, M.A. Swartz, and R.K. Jain, Return of lymphatic function after flap transfer for acute lymphedema, Annals of Surgery, 229, 421-427, 1999
- D.M. Eckmann, M.A. Swartz, M.R. Glucksberg, N. Gavriely, and J.B. Grotberg, Perfluorocarbon induced alterations in pulmonary mechanics, Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Immobilization Biotechnology, 26, 259-71, 1998
- D.M. Eckmann, M.A. Swartz, N. Gavriely, M.R. Glucksberg, and J.B. Grotberg, Influence of intravenous perfluorocarbon administration on the dynamic behavior of lung surfactant, Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes, and Immobilization Biotechnology, 26, 359-66, 1998
- M. Jeltsch, A. Kaipainen, V. Joukov, X. Meng, M. Lakso, H. Rauvala, M. Swartz, D. Fukumara, R. Jain, and K. Alitalo, Hyperplasia of lymphatic vessels in VEGF-C transgenic mice, Science, 276, 1423-5, 1997
- Swartz MA, Berk DA, Jain RK, Transport in lymphatic capillaries. I. Macroscopic measurements using residence time distribution theory, American Journal of Physiology, 270(1 Pt 2), H324-9, 1996
- Berk DA, Swartz MA, Leu AJ, Jain RK, Transport in lymphatic capillaries. II. Microscopic velocity measurement with fluorescence photobleaching, American Journal of Physiology, 270(1 Pt 2), H330-7, 1996
- C.P. Ng, B. Hinz, and M.A. Swartz, Interstitial Fluid Flow Induces Myofibroblast Differentiation and Collagen Alignment in Vitro, Journal of Cell Science, In Press
Profile Details
Last Updated: 1/31/2008
COS Expertise ID #1157698
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/mswartz
Individual Expertise profile of Melody A. Swartz, Copyright Melody A. Swartz.
© COS ExpertiseTM, 2010, ProQuest LLC All rights reserved.