Faculty Directory

Education

Degree	Institution	Major
Ph.D.	University of Connecticut	Developmental Biology
B.S.	University of New Hampshire	Animal Sciences

Awards

Name of Award/Honor	Awarding Organization
2012 Finalist, Connecticut Women of Innovation Award In Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership	Connecticut Technology Council
Basil O’Connor Research Scholar Award: 1993-1996	March of Dimes Foundation
New Investigator Award: 1992-1995	Donaghue Medical Research Foundation
Eli Lilly Award	Eli Lilly Corporation and the American Teratology Society
James G. Wilson Award for Research Excellence	American Teratology Society

The overall goals of Dr. Dealy’s research are to understand the molecular and cellular signals controlling development of the vertebrate limb and differentiation of the limb skeletal elements; and to harness this information to assist in development of novel regenerative approaches for lost or damaged skeletal tissue. Dr. Dealy’s research includes identification and mechanistic study of the genes and signals that control cartilage and joint differentiation and homeostasis, and exploring the potential for human stem cells for repair and regeneration of limb tissue including articular cartilage. These studies are designed to provide insight into the mechanisms and potential treatments for debilitating human conditions including osteoarthritis, congenital limb malformation, traumatic limb loss, and chondrodysplasia.

Molecular regulation of limb and skeletal development
Signals provided by growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules are critical for the development and differentiation of limb skeletal elements. Dr. Dealy’s research program is investigating the roles of the EGFR/ErbB signaling network, and the matrix macromolecule hyaluronan, in limb and skeletal development. These studies have revealed novel functions for these signals in limb patterning, chondrogenic differentiation, and joint formation. Dr. Dealy is continuing to investigate the molecular mechanisms whereby EGFR/ErbB signaling and hyaluronan regulate cartilage and joint development, and is also investigating roles for these signals in maintenance of articular cartilage homeostasis, and in regeneration of limb tissue lost due to injury.

Use of human stem cells for cartilage repair and regeneration
Exciting potential exists for the use of human stem cells for the repair and regeneration of cartilage or limb tissue lost due to age, disease or injury. Dr. Dealy’s research program is investigating the potential for chondrogenic cells derived from human stem cells to repair damaged cartilage and limb tissue in vivo. These studies utilize human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which are somatic cells re-programmed to a pluripotent state, which have been directed to undergo differentiation into the chondrogenic lineage. Dr. Dealy is testing the ability of the stem cell-derived chondrogenic cells to repair damaged articular cartilage in the joints of osteoarthritic mice, and ongoing work will investigate the potential for stem cell-derived skeletal progenitors in restoring limb tissue lost to traumatic injury. Dr. Dealy is also leading a joint effort between the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut biotechnology startup Chondrogenics, Inc. to develop the potential of human stem-cell derived chondrogenic cells as a future therapy for osteoarthritis.

Accepting Lab Rotation Students: Fall '13, Spring '14

Lab Rotation Projects
Ongoing projects include:

• Regulation of articular cartilage differentiation and homeostasis by matrix and growth factors
• Genetic control of skeletal development and regeneration
• Stem cells as models for cartilage disease
• Stem cells for repair or regeneration of cartilage or limb tissue

Journal Articles

Conference Papers

Title or Abstract	Sponsor/Event	Date/Year	Location
Genetic and Cellular Strategies in Cartilage Disease	2011 Howard Hughes Lecture Series	2011	Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Stem Cells for Profit?	StemConn 2011	2011	Farmington, CT