Helena D Zomer

Helena D Zomer,

Research Assistant Professor

Department: Department of Physiological Sciences
Business Email: helenazomer@ufl.edu

Accomplishments

Co-Chair, Skin, Wound Healing, and Inflammation
2023 · Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society
Butler-Williams Scholar
2022 · National Institute on Aging, NIH
Distinguished Travel Award
2022 · TERMIS-AM
Burroughs Wellcome Travel Fellowship
2021 · Society for the Study of Reproduction
Celebration of Research Top Award
2021 · University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
TOP#3 Postdoctoral Poster Competition
2021 · Society for the Study of Reproduction
Trainee Travel Award
2020 · Society for the Study of Reproduction
Best Ph.D. thesis from the Department of Developmental and Cell Biology
2018 · Federal University of Santa Catarina
TOP#2 Best Poster
2018 · TERMIS-AM Workshop
TOP#3 Best Poster
2018 · TERMIS-AM Workshop

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2024
VME6937L VMS Graduate Seminar Series

Research Profile

The main focus of my research has been on regenerative medicine approaches to improve skin wound healing and regeneration. My training as both veterinary doctor and molecular, developmental, and cell biologist gives me a singular set of skills and a unique research perspective. As a veterinarian scientist, I follow the One Heath concept —the multidisciplinary collaborative efforts to attain optimal health for people, animals, and our environment—so my research program aims to benefit both human and animal health. My expertise includes cell and molecular biology techniques – such as cell cultures, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, qPCR, flow cytometry and cell sorting, various animal models (mouse, rat, rabbits) and histopathology. In addition, I have experience with transgenic mouse models (conditional knockouts and lineage tracing).

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0002-2092-6906

Areas of Interest
  • Aging
  • Biology of reproduction
  • Mesenchymal stem cells
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Skin wound healing

Publications

2024
Correction: Evaluation of secretomes derived from human dermal and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for skin wound healing: not as effective as cells
Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 15(1) [DOI] 10.1186/s13287-024-03697-1. [PMID] 38500227.
2024
Evaluation of secretomes derived from human dermal and adipose tissue mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for skin wound healing: not as effective as cells
Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 15(1) [DOI] 10.1186/s13287-023-03630-y. [PMID] 38229157.
2024
Role for Nongenomic Estrogen Signaling in Male Fertility
Endocrinology. 165(3) [DOI] 10.1210/endocr/bqad180. [PMID] 38066676.
2024
Silica nanoparticles enhance interfacial self-adherence of a multi-layered extracellular matrix scaffold for vascular tissue regeneration
Biotechnology Letters. [DOI] 10.1007/s10529-024-03469-0.
2024
Silica nanoparticles enhance the cyto- and hemocompatibility of a multilayered extracellular matrix scaffold for vascular tissue regeneration
Biotechnology Letters. 46(2):249-261 [DOI] 10.1007/s10529-023-03459-8.
2023
Subacute high-refined carbohydrate diet leads to abnormal reproductive control of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in female rats.
Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.). 119 [DOI] 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108410. [PMID] 37211340.
2023
Targeting estrogen signaling and biosynthesis for aged skin repair.
Frontiers in physiology. 14 [DOI] 10.3389/fphys.2023.1281071. [PMID] 38028803.
2022
Sertoli cells require TDP-43 to support spermatogenesis
Biology of Reproduction. [DOI] 10.1093/biolre/ioac165. [PMID] 35986894.
2021
Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells from face and abdomen undergo replicative senescence and loss of genetic integrity after long-term culture
Experimental Cell Research. 406(1) [DOI] 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112740.
2021
Lack of information about umbilical cord blood banking leads to decreased donation rates among Brazilian pregnant women
Cell and Tissue Banking. [DOI] 10.1007/s10561-021-09903-1.
2021
Loss of TDP-43 in male germ cells causes meiotic failure and impairs fertility in mice
Journal of Biological Chemistry. 297(5) [DOI] 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101231. [PMID] 34599968.
2020
Characterization of rodent Sertoli cell primary cultures
Molecular Reproduction and Development. 87(8):857-870 [DOI] 10.1002/mrd.23402. [PMID] 32743879.
2020
Mesenchymal stromal cells from dermal and adipose tissues induce macrophage polarization to a pro-repair phenotype and improve skin wound healing.
Cytotherapy. 22(5):247-260 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.02.003. [PMID] 32234290.
2020
Mouse Sertoli cells isolation by lineage tracing and sorting
Molecular Reproduction and Development. 87(8):871-879 [DOI] 10.1002/mrd.23406.
2019
In vitro comparative study of human mesenchymal stromal cells from dermis and adipose tissue for application in skin wound healing
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 13(5):729-741 [DOI] 10.1002/term.2820.
2018
Distinct features of rabbit and human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells: implications for biotechnology and translational research
Stem Cells and Cloning: Advances and Applications. Volume 11:43-54 [DOI] 10.2147/sccaa.s175749.
2018
Skin wound healing in humans and mice: Challenges in translational research.
Journal of dermatological science. 90(1):3-12 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.12.009. [PMID] 29289417.
2015
Mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells: general insights and clinical perspectives.
Stem cells and cloning : advances and applications. 8:125-34 [DOI] 10.2147/SCCAA.S88036. [PMID] 26451119.
2013
Reproductive stem cell differentiation: extracellular matrix, tissue microenvironment, and growth factors direct the mesenchymal stem cell lineage commitment.
Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). 20(10):1137-43 [DOI] 10.1177/1933719113477484. [PMID] 23420825.
2012
Morphological characterization of the progenitor blood cells in canine and feline umbilical cord.
Microscopy research and technique. 75(6):766-70 [DOI] 10.1002/jemt.21123. [PMID] 22131289.

Grants

May 2023 ACTIVE
Physiological modulation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells secretome for skin wound healing
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: WOUND HEALING SOCIETY

Education

Postdoc, Reproductive Sciences
2021 · University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
PhD, Developmental and Cell Biology
2014 · Federal University of Santa Catarina
MSc, Stem Cell Biology
2013 · University of Sao Paulo
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
2011 · Santa Catarina State University

Contact Details

Emails:
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 100144
GAINESVILLE FL 32610