Mihaela Skobe | Mount Sinai

Biography

Research Topics

Cancer, Chemokines, Growth Factors and Receptors, Lymphangiogenesis, Metastasis

Multi-Disciplinary Training Area

Cancer Biology [CAB], Immunology [IMM]

Dr. Skobe obtained her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Zagreb (Croatia), and completed her PhD in Cell Biology at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg and at the University of Darmstadt (Germany). Her PhD thesis focused on the role of the microenvironment in the early stages of skin carcinogenesis, and demonstrated the fundamental role of activated stromal cells in inducing tumor growth and invasiveness. Her early studies of tumor angiogenesis were among the first to show the effectiveness of VEGFR-2 inhibition in preclinical models of cancer. Following her postdoctoral work at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, she joined the Department of Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she began and built a research program focused on cancer metastasis and lymphatic vasculature. Dr. Skobe has pioneered the field of tumor lymphangiogenesis, and her discoveries have drawn major attention to the importance of lymphatic vasculature in cancer. She serves on numerous national and international advisory committees and review boards, has been the recipient of several awards, and was honored by the Lymphatic Research Foundation for her exceptional contributions to the field of lymphatic research.

Dr. Skobe is on Twitter at @LabSkobe

Dr. Skobe obtained her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Zagreb (Croatia), and completed her PhD in Cell Biology at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg and at the University of Darmstadt (Germany). Her PhD thesis focused on the role of the microenvironment in the early stages of skin carcinogenesis, and demonstrated the fundamental role of activated stromal cells in inducing tumor growth and invasiveness. Her early studies of tumor angiogenesis were among the first to show the effectiveness of VEGFR-2 inhibition in preclinical models of cancer. Following her postdoctoral work at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, she joined the Department of Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she began and built a research program focused on cancer metastasis and lymphatic vasculature. Dr. Skobe has pioneered the field of tumor lymphangiogenesis, and her discoveries have drawn major attention to the importance of lymphatic vasculature in cancer. She serves on numerous national and international advisory committees and review boards, has been the recipient of several awards, and was honored by the Lymphatic Research Foundation for her exceptional contributions to the field of lymphatic research.

Dr. Skobe is on Twitter at @LabSkobe

Research

Main research focus is on deciphering the interplay between the lymphatic vasculature and cancer cells, whose interaction is important in cancer progression and metastasis. The presence of metastases in the lymphatic system is strongly correlated with negative patient prognosis, and for most cancers lymph node status is one of the key criteria for determining the stage of cancer progression. Our research addresses a fundamental question in cancer biology - why is lymphatic metastasis associated with the progression of the disease and reduced patient survival? There are two broad areas of interest: (1) understanding the factors which control lymphatic metastasis and (2) understanding the molecular mechanisms which control lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic function in health and disease. Current research includes studies of (i) lymphangiogenesis, (ii) the lymphatic vascular niche and its influence on metastasis, (iii) mechanisms of tumor dissemination through the lymphatic system, and (iv) the role of lymphatic endothelium in immunoregulation, among others. Elucidating the molecular basis of metastasis is key for the development of new approaches to diagnose and treat metastatic disease. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms that control the growth and function of the lymphatic vasculature has important implications towards a vast array of diseases that exhibit lymphatic vessel abnormalities.

Laboratory Personnel

Mirela Matokanovic, PhD (postdoctoral fellow)

Benedicte Lenoir, PhD (postdoctoral fellow)

Anita Rogic, MS (research associate)

Education

BS, University of Zagreb

PhD, German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg and University of Darmstadt

Postdoc, Harvard Medical School and Massachussetts General Hospital

Office Locations

Icahn (East) Building Floor 15 Room 15-20F

1425 Madison Ave

New York, NY 10029

212-659-5570

Industry Relationships

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Dr. Skobe has not yet completed reporting of Industry relationships.

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.

Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology companies, and other outside entities to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their outside financial relationships.

Dr. Skobe has not yet completed reporting of Industry relationships.

Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.