Valentina Greco, PhD
Cards
Appointments
Contact Info
Yale University
333 Cedar Street, SHM I Wing 336C
New Haven, CT 06510
United States
About
Titles
Carolyn Walch Slayman Professor of Genetics
Biography
Valentina Greco was born in Palermo, Italy and earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Palermo, Italy (1996). She earned her PhD at the EMBL/MPI-CBG, Germany (1998-2002), her post-doc at the Rockefeller University (2003-2009) and is currently a Professor in the Genetics, Cell Biology and Dermatology Departments, and a member of the Yale Stem Cell Center and Yale Cancer Center at Yale University (2009-present).
The Greco lab aims to define how tissues maintain themselves throughout the course of our lives in the face of continuous cellular turnover, frequent injuries, and spontaneous mutations. To do so, the Greco lab developed novel tools that integrate imaging of stem cells in their niche in live mice with both genetic and cell biological approaches that empower a better understanding of the complex orchestration of tissue regeneration using the skin as a model system. This has led to a number of discoveries, including but not limited to 1) stem cell position dictates their fate in the hair follicle, 2) a stem cell-mediated phagocytic clearance mechanism regulates the size of the hair follicle stem cell pool and 3) tissue correction preserves skin epithelial homeostasis. These scientific discoveries are driven by the lab's desire to create a stimulating academic environment where the focus is on doing good, collaborative science while promoting inclusivity within the scientific community, prioritizing mentoring of the lab's trainees’ scientific growth, and striving to make science accessible to everyone.
Dr. Greco has been the recipient of many awards over her career, most recently the 2021 International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Momentum Award, the 2019 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, the 2019 Yale Postdoctoral Mentoring Award, the 2018 Yale Graduate Mentor Award in the Natural Sciences, and in 2018 was named the Inaugural Holder of the Carolyn Slayman Endowed Professorship.
Appointments
Genetics
ProfessorPrimaryCell Biology
ProfessorSecondaryDermatology
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Signaling Networks
- Cell Biology
- Dermatology
- Genetics
- Greco Lab
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics and Development
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- Rheumatic Diseases Research Core
- Status of Women in Medicine Committee (SWIM)
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Yale Stem Cell Center
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Post-doctoral Associate
- Rockefeller University (2009)
- PhD
- Heidelberg University, Cell & Molecular Biology (2003)
- BS
- University of Biological Science (1996)
Research
Overview
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ORCID
0000-0002-6492-4603- View Lab Website
Greco Lab
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
David Gonzalez
Tianchi Xin, PhD
Ann Haberman, PhD
Kathleen Cook Suozzi, MD
Peggy Myung, MD/PhD
Sangwon Yun, PhD
Stem Cells
Regeneration
Stem Cell Niche
Publications
2024
844 Oncogenic Kras converts ERK signal dynamics to disrupt tissue architecture independently of hyperproliferation
Xin T, Gallini S, Wei H, Gonzalez D, Regot S, Greco V. 844 Oncogenic Kras converts ERK signal dynamics to disrupt tissue architecture independently of hyperproliferation. Journal Of Investigative Dermatology 2024, 144: s147. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.06.860.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOncogenic Kras induces spatiotemporally specific tissue deformation through converting pulsatile into sustained ERK activation
Xin T, Gallini S, Wei H, Gonzalez D, Matte-Martone C, Machida H, Fujiwara H, Pasolli H, Suozzi K, Gonzalez L, Regot S, Greco V. Oncogenic Kras induces spatiotemporally specific tissue deformation through converting pulsatile into sustained ERK activation. Nature Cell Biology 2024, 26: 859-867. PMID: 38689013, DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01413-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsERK signalingStem cellsSquamous cell carcinomaHair folliclesOncogenic KRAS mutationsCell carcinomaKRAS mutationsSustained ERK activationERK signaling dynamicsOncogenic mutationsOncogenic KRASERK activationStem cell behaviorIntravital imagingAbnormal cell divisionModulates specific featuresKrasG12DTissue deformationSpatiotemporally specific mannerSustained ERK signalingMutationsLiving miceFolliclesTissue disruptionSingle-cell levelCorrection: Cell cycle controls long-range calcium signaling in the regenerating epidermis
Moore J, Bhaskar D, Gao F, Matte-Martone C, Du S, Lathrop E, Ganesan S, Shao L, Norris R, Sanz N, Annusver K, Kasper M, Cox A, Hendry C, Rieck B, Krishnaswamy S, Greco V. Correction: Cell cycle controls long-range calcium signaling in the regenerating epidermis. Journal Of Cell Biology 2024, 223: e20230209503052024c. PMID: 38477880, PMCID: PMC10938063, DOI: 10.1083/jcb.20230209503052024c.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe art of observation: bridging science and art to see the unexpected
Gonzalez L, Wei H, Greco V, Friedlaender L. The art of observation: bridging science and art to see the unexpected. Development 2024, 151 PMID: 38477686, DOI: 10.1242/dev.202786.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and Concepts
2023
Organ function is preserved despite reorganization of niche architecture in the hair follicle
Wei H, Du S, Parksong J, Pasolli H, Matte-Martone C, Regot S, Gonzalez L, Xin T, Greco V. Organ function is preserved despite reorganization of niche architecture in the hair follicle. Cell Stem Cell 2023, 30: 962-972.e6. PMID: 37419106, PMCID: PMC10362479, DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.06.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNiche architectureDermal papilla fibroblastsDifferentiated lineagesHair follicle growthStereotypic architectureMultipotent progenitorsEpithelial progenitorsFunctional importanceNicheStem cellsFibroblast nicheProgenitorsPowerful modelIntravital imagingDermal papillaFibroblastsHair folliclesFollicle growthOrgan functionLineagesDifferentiationCrosstalkHairProliferationCellsInjury prevents Ras mutant cell expansion in mosaic skin
Gallini S, Annusver K, Rahman N, Gonzalez D, Yun S, Matte-Martone C, Xin T, Lathrop E, Suozzi K, Kasper M, Greco V. Injury prevents Ras mutant cell expansion in mosaic skin. Nature 2023, 619: 167-175. PMID: 37344586, PMCID: PMC10322723, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06198-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsWild-type cellsRas family proteinsCell cycle inhibitor p21Family proteinsOncogenic RasGenetic approachesMosaic tissuesInhibition of EGFRInhibitor p21EGFR ligandsEGFR pathwayCell expansionAberrant growthConstitutive lossDifferential activationParacrine secretionAbsence of injuryCellsCompetitive balanceInjury repairHealthy skinInjurySkinProteinPathwayMechanisms of skin vascular maturation and maintenance captured by longitudinal imaging of live mice
Kam C, Singh I, Gonzalez D, Matte-Martone C, Solá P, Solanas G, Bonjoch J, Marsh E, Hirschi K, Greco V. Mechanisms of skin vascular maturation and maintenance captured by longitudinal imaging of live mice. Cell 2023, 186: 2345-2360.e16. PMID: 37167971, PMCID: PMC10225355, DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.04.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsAdult endothelial cellsNeonatal endothelial cellsEndothelial cellsVascular maturationAdult homeostasisOrgan growthAdult maintenanceHomeostasisLive miceVessel regressionFundamental mechanismsGlobal ablationLocal ablationMaturationNetwork perfusionVascular plexusBlood vesselsLongitudinal imagingVessel repairMaintenanceVascular architecturePlexusFunctional networksMiceMechanismCell cycle controls long-range calcium signaling in the regenerating epidermis
Moore J, Bhaskar D, Gao F, Matte-Martone C, Du S, Lathrop E, Ganesan S, Shao L, Norris R, Sanz N, Annusver K, Kasper M, Cox A, Hendry C, Rieck B, Krishnaswamy S, Greco V. Cell cycle controls long-range calcium signaling in the regenerating epidermis. Journal Of Cell Biology 2023, 222: e202302095. PMID: 37102999, PMCID: PMC10140546, DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202302095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsLive imaging reveals chromatin compaction transitions and dynamic transcriptional bursting during stem cell differentiation in vivo
May D, Yun S, Gonzalez D, Park S, Chen Y, Lathrop E, Cai B, Xin T, Zhao H, Wang S, Gonzalez L, Cockburn K, Greco V. Live imaging reveals chromatin compaction transitions and dynamic transcriptional bursting during stem cell differentiation in vivo. ELife 2023, 12: e83444. PMID: 36880644, PMCID: PMC10027315, DOI: 10.7554/elife.83444.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsStem cell differentiationCell differentiationStem cell compartmentCompaction changesChromatin compaction statesDynamic transcriptional statesCell compartmentChromatin architectureCell cycle statusChromatin rearrangementNascent RNATranscriptional burstingTranscriptional statesLive imagingTissue contextGene expressionDifferentiating cellsGlobal remodelingIndividual cellsCycle statusStem cellsDifferentiation statusDifferentiationCellsMorphological changes
2022
Gradual differentiation uncoupled from cell cycle exit generates heterogeneity in the epidermal stem cell layer
Cockburn K, Annusver K, Gonzalez D, Ganesan S, May D, Mesa K, Kawaguchi K, Kasper M, Greco V. Gradual differentiation uncoupled from cell cycle exit generates heterogeneity in the epidermal stem cell layer. Nature Cell Biology 2022, 24: 1692-1700. PMID: 36357619, PMCID: PMC9729105, DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01021-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCell cycle exitCycle exitStem cell layerUndifferentiated stem cellsStem cell compartmentDaughter cellsDifferentiated populationsDifferentiation genesTranscriptional changesCell divisionMultiple progenitorsStemness genesCells transitStem cellsCell compartmentCell layerCell poolDifferentiationRegenerative tissueGenesSkin epidermisGradual differentiationMulti-day processesCells
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR)
Public ServiceVice PresidentDetails07/01/2022 - Presenthonor Vice-President/President-Elect/President/Past President of (ISSCR) 2022-2026
International AwardInternational Society for Stem Cell ResearchDetails08/01/2026, 03/17/2022United Stateshonor Mid-Career Investigator Award 2021-2022
National AwardFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB)Details04/28/2022United Stateshonor Elected Member
Regional AwardConnecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE)Details02/22/2022United Stateshonor Selected Member
National AwardNational Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council (NAMSAC)Details05/26/2021United States
News
News
- September 30, 2024
YCC Publications 2024
- July 23, 2024
Greco Is Named an HHMI Investigator
- April 30, 2024
In the Early Steps of Cancer Formation, Timing Matters
- June 21, 2023
Harnessing the power of healthy cells to suppress skin cancer formation
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Yale University
333 Cedar Street, SHM I Wing 336C
New Haven, CT 06510
United States
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Yale Only Daniel Andrés Colón-Ríos