Manu Platt

Education

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 2006 (Professor Hanjoong Jo, advisor)

B.S. in Biology, Morehouse College, 2001

CDP research

“Cue-Signal-Response Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adhesion and Survival Behavior on Ligand-Coated Scaffolds” This project is aimed at understanding how extracellular matrix and growth factors combine to generate signaling network activities governing MSC behaviors. Dynamic measurement of the ERK, Akt, EGFR, FAK, and p38 as well as other pathways are integrated quantitatively by a computational model for predicting how modifications to the cellular environment will drive MSC responses for purpose of improved design of MSC-based bone graft scaffolds. We employ a cue-signal-response paradigm based on modulating the MSC environment by culture on a comb polymer with epidermal growth factor (EGF) tethered to its surface and adsorbed fibronectin at varying concentrations. Previous work has shown that MSCs cultured on tethered EGF show improved survival and adhesion responses, and we seek to understand the underlying mechanisms to further improve the bone graft design.

Publications

Platt MO, Ankeny RF, Shi GP, Weiss D, Vega JD, Taylor WR, Jo H. “Expression of cathepsin K is regulated by shear stress in cultured endothelial cells and is increased in endothelium in human atherosclerosis.” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2007 Mar;292(3):H1479-86. Epub 2006 Nov 10.

Platt MO, Xing Y, Jo H, Yoganathan AP. “Cyclic Pressure and Shear Stress inhibit Cathepsin activity and cathepsin L expression in porcine aortic valves.” J Heart Valve Dis. 2006 Sep;15(5):622-9.

Platt MO, Ankeny RF, Jo H. “Laminar shear stress inhibits cathepsin L in endothelial cells.” Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2006 Aug;26(8):1784-90.

Pardo SJ, Patel MJ, Sykes MC, Platt MO, Boyd NL, Sorescu GP, Xu M, van Loon JJ, Wang MD, Jo H. “Simulated Microgravity Using the Random Positioning Machine Inhibits Differentiation and Alters Gene Expression Profiles of 2T3 Pre-osteoblasts.” Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2005 Feb 2.

Sorescu GP, Song H, Tressel SL, Hwang J, Dikalov S, Smith DA, Boyd NL, Platt MO, Lassegue B, Griendling KK, Jo H. “Bone morphogenic protein 4 produced in endothelial cells by oscillatory shear stress induces monocyte adhesion by stimulating reactive oxygen species production from a nox1-based NADPH oxidase.” Circ Res. 2004 Oct 15;95(8):773-9. Epub 2004 Sep 23.

Ankeny R, Platt MO, Jo H. “Investigation of Endothelial Cell Cathepsin Activity in Different Shear Stress Environments” JURIBE 2004 (4) 1: 9-12.

Airo A, Chan SL, Martinez Z, Platt MO, Trent JD. “Heat Shock and Cold Shock in Deinococcus radiodurans.” Cell Biochem and Biophys. 2004; 40: 277-288.

Sorescu GP, Sykes M, Weiss D, Platt MO, Saha A, Hwang J, Boyd N, Boo YC, Vega JD, Taylor WR, Jo H. “Bone morphogenic protein 4 produced in endothelial cells by oscillatory shear stress stimulates an inflammatory response.” J Biol Chem. 2003 Aug 15;278(33):31128-35.