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Sean Palecek portrait

Sean Palecek

Milton J. and A. Maude Shoemaker Professor

Cells must carefully integrate environmental cues, including chemical and physical stimuli, so they can function properly. These cues are sensed by cellular receptors, which in turn activate a variety of intracellular signal transduction pathways and gene transcription programs. We dissect cellular signaling networks, focusing oon mechano-transduction pathways, and characterize how quantitative changes in the flow of signals can control a wide variety of cellular processes. In particular, we study how cell-cell adhesive interactions affect disease pathogenesis and how adhesive and mechanical signals combine with chemical signals to regulate stem cell fate choices.

How does cell adhesion affect disease pathogenesis? We use genetic screens to identify adhesion receptors and regulation of these receptors in the opportunistic human pathogen Candida albicans. We then characterize the roles of diverse adhesion receptors in C. albicans binding to a variety of materials used in medical devices, biofilm formation on these materials, binding to mammalian epithelial cells, and virulence in mammals. We also study how the morphogenic switch between yeast and filamentous growth forms affects adhesion, force generation, biofilm formation and virulence. Our efforts will aid development and evaluation of antifungal interventions as well as design of biofilm-resistant materials.

How do adhesive and mechanical cues affect human embryonic stem cell (hESCs) differentiation? Embryonic stem cells have the unique combination of limitless self-renewal and the ability to form any cell type found in the adult. These properties offer tremendous promise in tissue engineering and stem cell-based therapies. To harness this promise, we must understand how to effectively culture hESCs and regulate their differentiation. Stem cells make differentiation decisions based on signals from their microenvironment, including chemical and physical stimuli. We study how adhesive forces and mechanical strain affect self-renewal and differentiation of hESCs then apply what we learn to the design of methods to scale up hESC culture and to development of strategies to efficiently guide hESC differentiation to desired cell types.

Department

Chemical & Biological Engineering

Contact

3637, Engineering Hall
1415 Engineering Dr
Madison, WI

  • PhD 1998, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • MS 1995, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • BE 1993, University of Delaware

  • cellular engineering
  • tissue engineering
  • stem cells
  • cell and protein biosensors

  • 2023 Kellett Mid-Career Award
  • 2023 Syracuse University, Stevenson Lecture
  • 2021 R. Byron Bird Excellence in Research Publication Award
  • 2017 University of Wiscsonsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin Housing, Honored Instructor Award
  • 2014 American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Fellowship
  • 2013 University of Wiscsonsin-Madison, Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor
  • 2013 Bioengineering Research Publication, Biotechnology Progress Excellence in Bioengineering Research Publication
  • 2013 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Cozzarelli Prize
  • 2012 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Milton J. and A. Maude Shoemaker Professorship
  • 2012 University of Wiscsonsin-Madison, Vilas Faculty Associate
  • 2009 American Heart Association, American Heart Association Top Ten Advances in Heart Research
  • 2009 Circulation Research, Best Paper of the Year
  • 2004 3M, 3M Nontenured Faculty Award
  • 2003 NSF, NSF CAREER Award
  • 2001 Lilly Young Faculty Award in Biosystems Engineering
  • 1999 Life Sciences Research Foundation, Amgen Fellowship
  • 1998 NIH, NIH Cancer Biology Postgraduate Training Fellowship, University of Chicago
  • 1998 Journal of Cell Science, Paper of the Year
  • 1993 Whitaker Foundation, Graduate Fellowship in Biomedical Engineering
  • 1993 DuPont, DuPont Graduate Fellowship in Chemical Engineering
  • 1993 Robert Pigford Scholarship
  • 1993 University of Delaware, Undergraduate Research Scholarship
  • 1992 American Chemical Society, American Chemical Society Delaware Chapter Student of Year
  • 1989 Weyerhauser, National Merit Scholar
  • 1989 University of Delaware, University Fellow

  • B M E 399 - Independent Study (Spring 2025)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Spring 2025)
  • CBE 599 - Special Problems (Spring 2025)
  • CBE 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Spring 2025)
  • CBE 990 - Thesis-Research (Spring 2025)
  • B M E 399 - Independent Study (Fall 2024)
  • B M E 890 - Pre-dissertation Research (Fall 2024)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Fall 2024)
  • CBE 599 - Special Problems (Fall 2024)
  • CBE 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2024)
  • CBE 990 - Thesis-Research (Fall 2024)
  • B M E 890 - Pre-dissertation Research (Summer 2024)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Summer 2024)
  • CBE 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Summer 2024)
  • CBE 990 - Thesis-Research (Summer 2024)
  • B M E 890 - Pre-dissertation Research (Spring 2024)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Spring 2024)
  • CBE 562 - Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (Spring 2024)
  • CBE 599 - Special Problems (Spring 2024)
  • CBE 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Spring 2024)
  • CBE 990 - Thesis-Research (Spring 2024)
  • MOL BIOL 699 - Directed Studies in Molecular Biology (Spring 2024)
  • B M E 890 - Pre-dissertation Research (Fall 2023)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Fall 2023)
  • CBE 599 - Special Problems (Fall 2023)
  • CBE 781 - Biological Engineering: Molecules, Cells & Systems (Fall 2023)
  • CBE 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Fall 2023)
  • CBE 990 - Thesis-Research (Fall 2023)
  • B M E 890 - Pre-dissertation Research (Summer 2023)
  • B M E 990 - Research and Thesis (Summer 2023)
  • CBE 890 - Pre-Dissertator's Research (Summer 2023)
  • CBE 990 - Thesis-Research (Summer 2023)