Anatomical Sciences

Education

Education

The main goal of my laboratory is to investigate the hematopoietic bone marrow-derived Common Connective Tissue Progenitor Cells (CCTPCs) in the heart valves and big vessels. After initially discovering the CCTPCs during chicken embryo heart valve development, and both embryonic and adult murine heart valves, we have validated the existence of these cells in human heart valves too.

We are isolating the CCTPCs from human bone marrow and using them to repopulate/seed bovine and porcine decellularized heart valve matrices. We are investigating the fate of these cells after seeding in vitro, both static and dynamic conditions.

We are also using the CCTPCs to seed decellularized pig blood vessels creating tissue engineered aortas, which are implanted into rats for various lengths of time before they are explanted and histologically evaluated.

Using the cadaveric material from the Anatomy Lab, we are researching the anatomical variation of the common carotid artery origins, with special attention to the formation of endothelial intimal thickening. We were able to show that when the left common carotid artery originates from the brachiocephalic trunk instead from directly off the aortic arch, then presents increased intimal thickening. This intimal thickening is the result of the engrafting CCTPCs originating from the bone marrow.

To explain the cause of the intimal thickening in case of the anatomical variations of the common carotid artery origins, we are using computational fluid dynamics simulations and calculations of the flow and shear stress.

Capabilities:

I am able to provide expertise in histological sample collection and processing, as well as light- and laser confocal microscopy. Classical and immunological labeling of cells and tissue samples is a routine in my lab, also I am already advising multiple PIs in setting up multiple immunofluorescent experiments.

Currently working on my Ph.D. in Health Care Genetics. I plan to create a training module to prepare medical students for productive interactions with patients wielding direct to consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) results. By giving the students relevant communication points pertinent to DTC-GT situations and compounding on knowledge and competencies learned in previous years, family physicians trained at VCOM will be able to work with genetically informed patients to make better medical management decisions.

Education

Dr. Atance’s research interests center on assessing the effectiveness of educational interventions in medically-underserved communities. An example of such an intervention is VCOM—CC’s Summer Enrichment Experience. This week-long summer program was designed to foster an interest in science and medicine in local high school students. Preliminary assessment of the program, in a paper published in the JAOA, demonstrated that the SEE program was successful in increasing participant interest in science and medicine. The next step, a longer-term goal, is to assess whether SEE is successful in directing participants toward the study of science and medicine in college and beyond.