Hanjoong Jo

Cardiovascular Mechanobiology, Therapeutics, and Delivery Lab. Role of flow-sensitive genes and proteins in atherosclerosis and heart valve disease, endothelial mechanobiology, drugs, RNA-based therapeutics, and targeted delivery.

From Mechanobiology to Mechanomedicine : Dr. Jo and his lab investigate how mechanical forces associated with blood flow regulate vascular biology and cardiovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, aortic valve (AV) calcification, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. The Jo lab developed a mouse model of flow-induced atherosclerosis and in vitro shear stress systems to understand the role of flow in endothelial cells and the development of atherosclerosis. Using the animal model, his lab discovered numerous mechano-sensitive genes and proteins that are regulated by flow and their role in atherosclerosis and AV calcification. His team has also shown that disturbed blood flow induces reprogramming of endothelial cells (FIRE), involving endothelial inflammation, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), endothelial-to-immune cell transition (EndIT), and endothelial-to-foam cell-like transition (EndFT). His lab focuses on translating this exciting knowledge of mechanobiology into the clinic by developing novel therapeutics (mechanomedicine) to treat atherosclerotic diseases, such as heart attacks, ischemic strokes, and peripheral artery disease —the leading cause of death worldwide. To achieve these goals, the Jo Lab targets those flow-sensitive genes and proteins to develop new gene/drug therapies using nanotechnology-based delivery approaches.