University of Illinois Chicago · PhysiologyKitajewski Lab
Jan K. Kitajewski · Chicago, Illinois
Research Focus
Dr. Jan K. Kitajewski's research lab focuses on understanding how specific signaling pathways influence the formation of blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. By investigating the roles of different Notch proteins, particularly Notch4, in vascular biology, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies to treat conditions like cancer and eye diseases associated with excessive blood vessel growth. The research combines advanced molecular techniques with studies in animal models to explore the implications of these pathways in both healthy and diseased states.
angiogenesisNotch signalingvascular biologytumor growthinflammationeye diseasesretinopathycytokine signalingendothelial cellstherapeutic strategies
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the unique roles of Notch4 in promoting angiogenesis.
AIM 02Evaluate how Notch4 influences inflammation in blood vessels and surrounding tissues.
AIM 03Develop therapeutic strategies targeting Notch4 to control tumor growth.
AIM 04Analyze the effects of Notch4 inhibition on blood vessel formation and inflammatory responses.
AIM 05Characterize the interactions between Notch signaling and cytokines in disease contexts.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureflow cytometryRNA sequencinggene editinganimal modelsmolecular cloningbiological assaysimmunohistochemistrydata analysisprotein expression techniques
Output against the department
Publications360top 10% of dept.29th of 286
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations23ktop 11% of dept.32nd of 286
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.