Joseph Decker Lab

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry

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NK cell video

ABOUT

The Decker Lab is focused on developing technologies that 1) detect and interpret the inter- and intra-cellular signaling networks within the tissue microenvironment, 2) alter an existing unfavorable microenvironment and 3) leverage alterations in the pathophysiological microenvironment for early detection and intervention.

RESEARCH

Interfacing oral health with systemic health

Interfacing oral health with systemic health

Anyone who has needed a root canal or tooth extraction knows how much of an impact these conditions have on how you feel. Epidemiological studies confirm that oral health and systemic health are inseparable. These relationships raise many questions: Can we affect systemic health by maintaining oral health? Does the progression of oral disease change when we have systemic illness? What can we, as engineers, create that can leverage this connection to improve quality of life? The Decker Lab is tackling these questions to create the next generation of biomaterial technologies to interface oral health with systemic health.

Making safer immunotherapies

Making safer immunotherapies

Severe side-effects are an unfortunate hallmark in patients receiving chemotherapy. The rapid shift towards immunotherapies has significantly improved survival outcomes for these patients, yet difficulties with toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) remain a serious concern. CRS develops from crosstalk between T cells and innate immune cells in the tumor, leading to overactivation of the immune system and serious systemic complications for the patient. The Decker Lab is developing new immunotherapies and biomaterial adjuvants that make these therapies safer.

dy J Decker

Mapping intercellular signaling networks

Tissues are made of individual cells that constantly communicate to affect that tissue’s specific function. Bone loss in periodontal disease, colonization of disseminated tumor cells, and tissue destruction in autoimmune disease are just three examples of intercellular signaling networks that lead to disease. There is a big difference between observing the effects of a signaling network and understanding the dynamic effects each component has on the overall health of a tissue. The Decker Lab is addressing this problem using live-cell imaging, single-cell biology, and biomaterial science to functionally map and rewire intercellular signaling networks to restore homeostasis in diseased tissues.

DIRECTOR

joshua Emrick

Dr. Joe Decker
Assistant Professor

jtdecker@umich.edu

Dr. Joe Decker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences, and Endodontics at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. He received an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was awarded his Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida, where he studied the role of surface topography in creating materials that resist biofouling. He completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan, where he developed live-cell methods to accelerate therapy development for cancer and autoimmune disease. He is a recipient of NIBIB K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award. His laboratory develops bioengineering technologies to map and manipulate intercellular signaling networks.

PUBLICATIONS

    OPEN POSITIONS

    The Decker Lab is actively seeking to expand our team and is currently accepting applications from graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians! Join us as we embark on an exciting journey of growth and discovery!

    Please contact Dr. Joe Decker at jtdecker@umich.edu for more information


    TEAM

    Maxwell Mianecki

    Maxwell Mianecki
    Research Lab Technician

    mmianeck@umich.edu

    Lauren Guan

    Lauren Guan
    Undergraduate Student

    guans@umich.edu

    Kamaldeen Akorede

    Kamaldeen Akorede
    Undergraduate Student

    kakorede@umich.edu

    Amina Ferris

    Amina Ferris
    Undergraduate Student

    aminafer@umich.edu

    Prerana Singh

    Prerana Singh
    Postdoctoral Researcher

    prerans@umich.edu

    Madeline Morrison, Joe Decker lab, umich school of dentistry

    Madeline Morrison
    OHS Master's Student

    maddjo@umich.edu

    Victoria Maglaras, Joe Decker lab Umich School of dentistry

    Victoria Maglaras, DDS
    MS/PhD Candidate

    vmaglara@umich.edu

    CONTACT

    Joseph Decker Lab
    University of Michigan School of Dentistry
    1011 N University Ave, Room 2218 

    Ann Arbor, MI 48109

    Email: jtdecker@umich.edu
    Telephone: 734-764-8979