Ethan Lippmann

Our research group applies biomolecular and biomedical engineering strategies to basic science and translational investigations that address the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in health and disease. We currently employ a wide variety of experimental strategies and techniques, including human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation, biomaterial synthesis, microdevice fabrication, and biomolecular/cellular engineering, to carry out our work. For biological investigations, we regularly leverage cell culture (including simple 2D cultures and Transwell co-cultures) for mechanistic interrogations, followed by rigorous follow-up studies in 3D engineered systems, human tissue, and in vivo models of disease. Likewise, we routinely seek to improve engineering platforms and techniques that can be applied back to basic wet lab research, model development, and neurovascular disease treatment strategies. These comprehensive activities are supported by the diverse expertise of our group. We are also highly collaborative and enjoy working with other labs on campus to address difficult biomedical questions outside of the central nervous system.

 

O’Grady BJ#, Balotin KM#, Bosworth AM, McClatchey PM, Weinstein RM, Gupta M, Poole KS, Bellan LM*, and Lippmann ES*. “Development of an N-cadherin biofunctionalized hydrogel to support the formation of synaptically connected neural networks.” ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering. In press. (# Co-first author) (* Co-corresponding author)

Rosch JC, Neal EH, Balikov DA, Rahim M, and Lippmann ES. “CRISPR-mediated isogenic cell-SELEX approach for generating highly specific aptamers against native membrane proteins.” Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering. In press.

Sorets AG, Rosch JC, Duvall CL, and Lippmann ES. “Caveolae-mediated transport at the injured blood-brain barrier as an unexplored pathway for central nervous system drug delivery.” Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 30:86-95 (2020).

Neal EH, Marinelli NA, Shi Y, McClatchey PM, Balotin KM, Bosworth AM, Gullett DR, Hagerla KA, Bowman AB, Ess KC, Wikswo JP, and Lippmann ES. “A simplified, fully defined differentiation scheme for producing blood-brain barrier endothelial cells from human iPSCs.” Stem Cell Reports 12:1380-1388 (2019).

Romero-Morales AI#, O’Grady BJ#, Balotin KM, Bellan LM, Lippmann ES*, and Gama V*. “Spin∞: an updated miniaturized spinning bioreactor design for the generation of human cerebral organoids from pluripotent stem cells.” HardwareX 6:e00084 (2019). (# Co-first author) (* Co-corresponding author) Hollmann EK, Bailey AK, Potharazu AV, Neely MD, Bowman AB, and Lippmann ES. “Accelerated differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells to blood-brain barrier endothelial cells.” Fluids Barriers CNS 14:9 (2017).

Rosch JC*, Hollmann EK*, and Lippmann ES. “In vitro selection technologies to enhance biomaterial functionality.” Experimental Biology and Medicine 241:962-971 (2016). (* Equal contributions)

Lippmann ES, Williams CE, Ruhl DA, Estevez-Silva MC, Chapman ER, Coon JJ, and Ashton RS. “Deterministic HOX patterning in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuroectoderm.” Stem Cell Reports 4:632-644 (2015). 

Lippmann ES, Al-Ahmad A, Azarin SM, Palecek SP, and Shusta EV. “A retinoic acid-enhanced, multicellular human blood-brain barrier model derived from stem cell sources.” Scientific Reports 4:4160 (2014). 

Lippmann ES, Estevez-Silva MC, and Ashton RS. “Defined human pluripotent stem cell culture enables highly efficient neuroepithelium derivation independent of small molecule inhibitors.” Stem Cells 32:1032-1042 (2014). 

Lippmann ES*, Azarin SM*, Kay JE, Nessler RA, Wilson HK, Al-Ahmad A, Palecek SP, and Shusta EV. “Derivation of blood-brain barrier endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells.” Nature Biotechnology  30:783-791 (2012). (* Equal contributions)