Contact Information

Jenna Galloway, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Biology, Havard Medical School

185 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
email: jenna_galloway@hms.harvard.edu

Explore this laboratory

    Overview

    Under the direction of Dr. Jenna Galloway, the Musculoskeletal Genetics & Developmental Biology Lab (MGDBL; also known as The Galloway Lab) uses genetic and chemical screening techniques to identify essential regulators of musculoskeletal biology. The laboratory specifically focuses on understanding the complex biology of tendons and ligaments, and employs a multidisciplinary approach, using different model systems to develop innovative new solutions for treating tendon and ligament injuries.

    Research Projects

    Tendon and ligament progenitor cell regulation and directed differentiation

    A major area of research in the MGDBL aims to identify the cues that direct progenitor cells to become mature tendons and ligaments. During embryogenesis, progenitor cell populations give rise to cartilage or tendon tissues in our limbs, head and spine. We are interested in elucidating the pathways that regulate this cell fate decision in order to expand the progenitor populations and promote more faithful differentiation into each of these lineages.

    Myotendinous and osteotendinous junctions

    Another focus of the MGDBL is on understanding the critical factors that coordinate the attachments between muscle, tendon, and bone. By combining live-imaging and high-throughput screening approaches, our goal is to identify the molecules and cellular behaviors governing these processes. In the long term, the MGDBL aims to transform these discoveries into regenerative biology solutions to better heal and repair tendon and ligament injuries.

    The MGDBL is an active member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) and is located within the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) at Mass General. The CRM is a multidisciplinary center focused on integrating our understanding of biological processes with the development of novel clinical therapies.

    • Tendon progenitor cell regulation
    • Myotendinous and osteotendinous junctions
    • Directed differentiation into tendon and ligament tissues

    Research Positions

    For research positions, please contact Jenna Galloway.

    Selected Publications

    Ray MK, Wiskow O, King MJ, Ismail N, Ergun A, Wang Y, Plys AJ, Davis CP, Kathrein K, Sadreyev R, Borowsky ML, Eggan K, Zon L, Galloway JL, Kingston RE (2016). CAT7 and cat7l Long Non-coding RNAs Tune Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 Function during Human and Zebrafish Development. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 291(37):19558-72.

    Dyment NA, Galloway JL (2015). Regenerative biology of tendon: mechanisms for renewal and repair. Current Molecular Biology Reports, 1(3):124-131.

    Shah R*, Nerurkar N*, Wang C, Galloway JL. (2015) Tensile properties of craniofacial tendons in the mature and aged zebrafish. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 33(6):867-73.

    Chen JW and Galloway JL (2014). The development of zebrafish tendon and ligament progenitors. Development, 141:2035-2045.

    Fujimori S, Novak H, Weissenböck M, Jussila M, Gonçalves A, Zeller R, Galloway J, Thesleff I, and Hartmann C. (2010) Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the dental mesenchyme regulates incisor development by regulating Bmp4. Developmental Biology, 348 (1):97-106.