Thomas N. Wight PhD

Benaroya Research Institute
Director, Matrix Biology Program

Email: twight@benaroyaresearch.org | Phone: 206.287.5666

Our research focus is to understand how the material that is present between cells, termed "extracellular matrix," controls the ability of stem cells to develop into differentiated cells such as cardiomyocytes. This extracellular matrix, is produced by stem cells or the cells that surround the stem cells and regulates the ability of stem cells to grow and differentiate. Identifying the specific nature of this material and how it promotes stem cell signaling will allow us to control the growth of these cells and promote their use in the treatment of a variety of disease conditions, such as myocardial infarction.