Kathleen Elaine McGrath, Ph.D.

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Dr. McGrath's research interests are:

1) Red Blood Cell transcriptome and development (Erythroid progenitor cells)

2) Blood development in the murine embryo

3) Developmental Biology

4) Molecular Biology.

Her research interest is based on a fundamental curiosity about how cells decide which fate to adopt as embryos develop. Simplistically, this involves a dynamic interplay between the potential each cell has and the signals that it receives that narrow that potential into specific fates. As part of Jim Palis' research group, she applies that paradigm to the development of the blood system in the mouse embryo.

Recently, Dr. McGrath has focused on the initial appearance of the linked fates of blood and vascular systems in the embryo and roles of signaling systems active at the time and place of these initial fate choices (e.g. Notch, BMP and Wnt signaling systems). She has also begun to examine the genetic control of later steps in the maturation of specific lineages within the blood system in the embryo versus the adult utilizing cell sorting technologies.

Specialty

Hematology / Oncology

Current Appointments

• Research Assistant Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD)
• Research Assistant Professor - Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research (SMD)

Education
PhD Biology	University of Rochester	1993
MS Biology	University of Rochester	1987
BA Biology	Reed College	1983

Fellowship Awards
NIH Cancer Research Postdoctoral Trainee Award, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester	1995 - 1998
NIH Genetics Training Grant Trainee Award, Biology Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY	1987 - 1990
Biology and Medicine Graduate Program Fellowship Award, Biology Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY	1986 - 1987
Sandy River Research Project Award, Reed College, Portland, OR	1981

Recent Journal Articles
Showing the 5 most recent journal articles. (15 available)
Tober,J. M.; Koniski,A.; McGrath,K. E.; Vemishetti,R.; Emerson,R.; de Mesy-Bentley,K. K.; Waugh,R.; Palis,J.;. "The megakaryocyte lineage originates from hemangioblast precursors and is an integral component both of primitive and of definitive hematopoiesis". Blood (2006).
Kingsley PD; Malik J; Emerson RL; Bushnell TP; McGrath KE; Bloedorn LA; Bulger M; Palis J. ""Maturational" globin switching in primary primitive erythroid cells." Blood. 2006; 107(4):1665-72. Epub 2005 Nov 01.
McGrath KE; Palis J. "Hematopoiesis in the yolk sac: more than meets the eye." Experimental hematology. 2005; 33(9):1021-8.
Reynolds SD; Giangreco A; Hong KU; McGrath KE; Ortiz LA; Stripp BR. "Airway injury in lung disease pathophysiology: selective depletion of airway stem and progenitor cell pools potentiates lung inflammation and alveolar dysfunction." American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology. 2004; 287(6):L1256-65. Epub 2004 Aug 06.
McGrath KE; Koniski AD; Malik J; Palis J. "Circulation is established in a stepwise pattern in the mammalian embryo." Blood. 2003; 101(5):1669-76. Epub 2002 Oct 24.