Hanna Martens, PhD

Assistant Professor
Biochemistry and Biophysics
+1 415 502-1793
Research Description: 

The Martens lab is interested in the mechanisms of tissue aging with a specific focus on connective tissue compartments that serve as structural pillars of organ architecture. Our work demonstrated a central requirement for the active engagement of cellular mechanotransduction pathways in maintaining youthful organ homeostasis by limiting cellular senescence and inflammatory signaling in mechanically challenged tissue compartments (doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04924-6). Building on this concept, we are striving to investigate the role and importance of structural tissue compartments to the maintenance of a youthful tissue state. A special focus is understanding how aging stromal niches impact the plasticity, survival and mitotic potential of resident somatic stem cell populations and progenitor cell pools.

Primary Thematic Area: 
Tissue / Organ Biology & Endocrinology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Our research examines how tissue mechanics influence the aging process.
Publications: 

Mechano-YAP/TAZ-regulated smooth muscle cells are an important source of Wnt signalling for gut regeneration.

Clinical and translational medicine

Ji M, Dong S, Lu S, Liang H, Lin Y, Luo C, Zheng H, Shu Y, Zhang Z, Jin X, Guo Y, Kang K, Zhang H, Wang Y, Sladitschek-Martens HL, Huang S, Fu X, Zhou G, Wen Z, Chang L

YAP/TAZ activity in stromal cells prevents ageing by controlling cGAS-STING.

Nature

Sladitschek-Martens HL, Guarnieri A, Brumana G, Zanconato F, Battilana G, Xiccato RL, Panciera T, Forcato M, Bicciato S, Guzzardo V, Fassan M, Ulliana L, Gandin A, Tripodo C, Foiani M, Brusatin G, Cordenonsi M, Piccolo S

Mechanosignaling in vertebrate development.

Developmental biology

Piccolo S, Sladitschek-Martens HL, Cordenonsi M

Editorial: The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Cancer Progression.

Frontiers in oncology

Fujimura A, Pei H, Zhang H, Sladitschek HL, Chang L