Jonathan A Gordon

Biography

Prof/Dr Jonathan A Gordon is currently working as Professor in university of vermont. He has successfully completed her Administrative responsibilities as Professor. Her research has includedMy past research has touched on many different aspects of bone biology including biomineralization and extracellular matrix formation and cell commitment, which presented a solid research foundation and a unique tissue to examine cell commitment and differentiation. My current research focuses on understanding mechanisms of lineage commitment and osteogenic gene expression from the standpoint of classical transcriptional regulation and epigenetic regulation. Working with Drs. Gary and Janet Stein, and Dr. Jane Lian at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Vermont, my research examines the role of homeobox proteins and other transcription factors in adult bone formation. In addition to transcriptional regulators, our research also focuses on early chromatin remodeling events, such as histone methylation and acetylation and recruitment of chromatin-modifying complexes preceding gene expression leading to the commitment of pluripotent progenitors. To answer these complex questions we use a variety of complementary techniques including transgenic and knockout animal models, primary cell cultures, chromatin immunoprecipitation and several massively-parallel sequencing techniques (e.g. RNA-seq, ChIP-seq). Understanding and manipulating these early markers of mesenchymal commitment events have obvious implications for stem cell populations, regulating osteoblast differentiation and potential novel therapies to increase bone mass in chronic disease conditions, such as osteoarthritis and age-related bone loss, and regenerate bone in acute traumas.

Research Interest

My research is centered on understanding the process of mesenchymal commitment leading to bone formation. Bone provides an interesting research model as it is comprised several diverse elements that are important to normal and disease physiology. Bone is a unique tissue, not only providing structural support, but serves as a reservoir of calcium and phosphate, latent cytokines, hormones and growth factors. In addition bone provides a unique niche of diverse cellular components including hematopoetic precursors (in the marrow cavity), pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells, bone and cartilage forming cells (osteoblasts, chondrocytes), and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Because of the rich resources that it provides, bone is frequently a host tissue for numerous metastatic cancers including breast, prostate and lung further expanding the importance of bone as a vital organ.