Cell Processes in Fibrosis

The Korman lab focuses on scleroderma (SSc, systemic sclerosis) which is a multi-system disease characterized by fibrosis (scarring) of the skin and internal organs, autoimmunity with disease specific autoantibodies, and vascular disease. The lab’s basic science focus lays in the vascular and fibrotic parts of scleroderma and utilizes a variety of cell-based systems, mouse models, genetic/genomic approaches, and patient samples to better understand the pathways which contribute to scleroderma. Most work currently focuses on either (1) skin disease and (2) pulmonary hypertension. The lab is integrated with the scleroderma clinic and utilizes clinical data and patient bio-specimens to address fundamental questions about disease pathogenesis, heterogeneity, and to develop insights that will lead to new therapeutic approaches and increasingly personalized medicine.