headshot of Justin Weinbaum

Justin Weinbaum

Research Assistant Professor
Vascular Bioengineering Laboratory Vascular ECM Dynamics Laboratory Bioengineering Department

overview

Justin Weinbaum received his B.S. in Molecular Biology & Biophysics from Yale University in 2000. Under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Mecham at Washington University in St. Louis, and funded by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, he classified the elastic fiber component MAGP-1 as a new member of the matricellular protein family. Dr. Weinbaum received his Ph.D. in 2007 and joined Dr. Robert Tranquillo at the University of Minnesota. A NIH/NHLBI Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awardee, Dr. Weinbaum contributed key biological insight to the lab's projects in artery, valve, and heart patch tissue engineering. As an independent scientist, Dr. Weinbaum aims to understand how the native extracellular matrix directs cellular behavior and to develop new treatments for degenerative disease.

about

(2010) Midwest Affiliate Postdoctoral Fellowship, American Heart Association (declined).

(2009) American Society for Cell Biology Postdoctoral Travel Award.

(2003 - 2005) Lucille P. Markey Fellowship in Human Pathobiology.

(1998) Chester Summer Scholar.

Ph.D., Molecular Cell Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, 2001 - 2007

B.S., Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 1996 - 2000

Lorentz, K.L., Marini, A.X., Bruk, L.A., Gupta, P., Mandal, B.B., DiLeo, M.V., Weinbaum, J.S., Little, S.R., & Vorp, D.A. (2024). Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Media-Loaded Microparticles Enhance Acute Patency in Silk-Based Vascular Grafts. Bioengineering (Basel), 11(9), 947.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering11090947.

Gueldner, P.H., Marini, A.X., Li, B., Darvish, C.J., Chung, T.K., Weinbaum, J.S., Curci, J.A., & Vorp, D.A. (2023). Mechanical and matrix effects of short and long-duration exposure to beta-aminopropionitrile in elastase-induced model abdominal aortic aneurysm in mice. JVS Vasc Sci, 4, 100098.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2023.100098.

Nerger, B.A., Jones, T.M., Rose, K.W.J., Barqué, A., Weinbaum, J.S., Petrie, R.J., Chang, J., Vanhoutte, D., LaDuca, K., Hubmacher, D., & Naba, A. (2022). The matrix in focus: new directions in extracellular matrix research from the 2021 ASMB hybrid meeting. Biol Open, 11(1), bio059156.The Company of Biologists. doi: 10.1242/bio.059156.

Cunnane, E.M., Davis, N.F., Cunnane, C.V., Lorentz, K.L., Ryan, A.J., Hess, J., Weinbaum, J.S., Walsh, M.T., O'Brien, F.J., & Vorp, D.A. (2021). Mechanical, compositional and morphological characterisation of the human male urethra for the development of a biomimetic tissue engineered urethral scaffold. Biomaterials, 269, 120651.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120651.

Cunnane, E.M., Ramaswamy, A.K., Lorentz, K.L., Vorp, D.A., & Weinbaum, J.S. (2021). Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Primary Adipose Stromal Cells Induce Elastin and Collagen Deposition by Smooth Muscle Cells within 3D Fibrin Gel Culture. Bioengineering (Basel), 8(5), 51.MDPI. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering8050051.

Lorentz, K.L., Gupta, P., Shehabeldin, M.S., Cunnane, E.M., Ramaswamy, A.K., Verdelis, K., DiLeo, M.V., Little, S.R., Weinbaum, J.S., Sfeir, C.S., Mandal, B.B., & Vorp, D.A. (2021). CCL2 loaded microparticles promote acute patency in silk-based vascular grafts implanted in rat aortae. Acta Biomater, 135, 126-138.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.08.049.

Cunnane, E.M., Lorentz, K.L., Ramaswamy, A.K., Gupta, P., Mandal, B.B., O'Brien, F.J., Weinbaum, J.S., & Vorp, D.A. (2020). Extracellular Vesicles Enhance the Remodeling of Cell-Free Silk Vascular Scaffolds in Rat Aortae. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 12(24), 26955-26965.American Chemical Society (ACS). doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c06609.

Cunnane, E.M., Lorentz, K.L., Soletti, L., Ramaswamy, A.K., Chung, T.K., Haskett, D.G., Luketich, S.K., Tzeng, E., D'Amore, A., Wagner, W.R., Weinbaum, J.S., & Vorp, D.A. (2020). Development of a Semi-Automated, Bulk Seeding Device for Large Animal Model Implantation of Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts. Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 8, 597847.Frontiers. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.597847.

Gupta, P., Lorentz, K.L., Haskett, D.G., Cunnane, E.M., Ramaswamy, A.K., Weinbaum, J.S., Vorp, D.A., & Mandal, B.B. (2020). Bioresorbable silk grafts for small diameter vascular tissue engineering applications: In vitro and in vivo functional analysis. Acta Biomater, 105, 146-158.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.01.020.

Ramaswamy, A.K., Sides, R.E., Cunnane, E.M., Lorentz, K.L., Reines, L.M., Vorp, D.A., & Weinbaum, J.S. (2019). Adipose-derived stromal cell secreted factors induce the elastogenesis cascade within 3D aortic smooth muscle cell constructs. Matrix Biol Plus, 4, 100014.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2019.100014.

Ramaswamy, A.K., Vorp, D.A., & Weinbaum, J.S. (2019). Functional Vascular Tissue Engineering Inspired by Matricellular Proteins. Front Cardiovasc Med, 6, 74.Frontiers. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2019.00074.

Cunnane, E.M., Weinbaum, J.S., O'Brien, F.J., & Vorp, D.A. (2018). Future Perspectives on the Role of Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles in Vascular Tissue Regeneration. Front Cardiovasc Med, 5, 86.Frontiers. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2018.00086.

Haskett, D.G., Saleh, K.S., Lorentz, K.L., Josowitz, A.D., Luketich, S.K., Weinbaum, J.S., Kokai, L.E., D'Amore, A., Marra, K.G., Rubin, J.P., Wagner, W.R., & Vorp, D.A. (2018). An exploratory study on the preparation and evaluation of a "same-day" adipose stem cell-based tissue-engineered vascular graft. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 156(5), 1814-1822.e3.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.05.120.

Cheheltani, R., Pichamuthu, J.E., Rao, J., Weinbaum, J.S., Kiani, M.F., Vorp, D.A., & Pleshko, N. (2017). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging-Derived Collagen Content and Maturity Correlates with Stress in the Aortic Wall of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients. Cardiovasc Eng Technol, 8(1), 70-80.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s13239-016-0289-3.

Krawiec, J.T., Liao, H.T., Kwan, L.L., D'Amore, A., Weinbaum, J.S., Rubin, J.P., Wagner, W.R., & Vorp, D.A. (2017). Evaluation of the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue as the basis for a stem cell-based tissue-engineered vascular graft. J Vasc Surg, 66(3), 883-890.e1.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2016.09.034.

Blose, K.J., Pichamuthu, J.E., Weinbaum, J.S., & Vorp, D.A. (2016). Design and Validation of a Vacuum Assisted Anchorage for the Uniaxial Tensile Testing of Soft Materials. Soft Mater, 14(2), 72-77.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/1539445X.2016.1141787.

Krawiec, J.T., Weinbaum, J.S., Liao, H.T., Ramaswamy, A.K., Pezzone, D.J., Josowitz, A.D., D'Amore, A., Rubin, J.P., Wagner, W.R., & Vorp, D.A. (2016). In Vivo Functional Evaluation of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts Fabricated Using Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from High Cardiovascular Risk Populations. Tissue Eng Part A, 22(9-10), 765-775.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2015.0379.

Krawiec, J.T., Weinbaum, J.S., St Croix, C.M., Phillippi, J.A., Watkins, S.C., Rubin, J.P., & Vorp, D.A. (2015). A cautionary tale for autologous vascular tissue engineering: impact of human demographics on the ability of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to recruit and differentiate into smooth muscle cells. Tissue Eng Part A, 21(3-4), 426-437.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2014.0208.

Rao, J., Brown, B.N., Weinbaum, J.S., Ofstun, E.L., Makaroun, M.S., Humphrey, J.D., & Vorp, D.A. (2015). Distinct macrophage phenotype and collagen organization within the intraluminal thrombus of abdominal aortic aneurysm. J Vasc Surg, 62(3), 585-593.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2014.11.086.

Blose, K.J., Ennis, T.L., Arif, B., Weinbaum, J.S., Curci, J.A., & Vorp, D.A. (2014). Periadventitial adipose-derived stem cell treatment halts elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm progression. Regen Med, 9(6), 733-741.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.2217/rme.14.61.

Blose, K.J., Krawiec, J.T., Weinbaum, J.S., & Vorp, D.A. (2014). Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering Purposes. In Regenerative Medicine Applications in Organ Transplantation. (pp. 177-185).Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-398523-1.00013-6.

Blose, K.J., Krawiec, J.T., Weinbaum, J.S., & Vorp, D.A. (2014). Chapter 13 Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering Purposes. In Regenerative Medicine Applications in Organ Transplantation. (pp. 177-185).Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-398523-1.00013-6.

Krawiec, J.T., Bruce, K., Josowitz, A., Kokai, L., D'Amore, A., Weinbaum, J., Wagner, W., Rubin, P., & Vorp, D. (2014). Evaluating cells from liposuction aspirates for vascular tissue engineering. ANGIOGENESIS, 17, (p. 306).Hyannis, MA.

Blose, K.J., Krawiec, J.T., Weinbaum, J.S., & Vorp, D.A. (2013). Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering Purposes; Chapter 15. (pp. 201-210).Academic Press.

Weinbaum, J.S., Schmidt, J.B., & Tranquillo, R.T. (2013). Combating Adaptation to Cyclic Stretching By Prolonging Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase. Cell Mol Bioeng, 6(3), 279-286.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s12195-013-0289-4.

Ahmann, K.A., Weinbaum, J.S., Johnson, S.L., & Tranquillo, R.T. (2010). Fibrin degradation enhances vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and matrix deposition in fibrin-based tissue constructs fabricated in vitro. Tissue Eng Part A, 16(10), 3261-3270.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.tea.2009.0708.

Craft, C.S., Zou, W., Watkins, M., Grimston, S., Brodt, M.D., Broekelmann, T.J., Weinbaum, J.S., Teitelbaum, S.L., Pierce, R.A., Civitelli, R., Silva, M.J., & Mecham, R.P. (2010). Microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1, an extracellular matrix regulator of bone remodeling. J Biol Chem, 285(31), 23858-23867.Elsevier. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.113019.

Weinbaum, J.S., Qi, J., & Tranquillo, R.T. (2010). Monitoring collagen transcription by vascular smooth muscle cells in fibrin-based tissue constructs. Tissue Eng Part C Methods, 16(3), 459-467.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEC.2009.0112.

Weinbaum, J.S., Tranquillo, R.T., & Mecham, R.P. (2010). The matrix-binding domain of microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 targets active connective tissue growth factor to a fibroblast-produced extracellular matrix. Macromol Biosci, 10(11), 1338-1344.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/mabi.201000121.

Black, L.D., Meyers, J.D., Weinbaum, J.S., Shvelidze, Y.A., & Tranquillo, R.T. (2009). Cell-induced alignment augments twitch force in fibrin gel-based engineered myocardium via gap junction modification. Tissue Eng Part A, 15(10), 3099-3108.Mary Ann Liebert. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2008.0502.

Syedain, Z.H., Weinberg, J.S., & Tranquillo, R.T. (2008). Cyclic distension of fibrin-based tissue constructs: evidence of adaptation during growth of engineered connective tissue. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 105(18), 6537-6542.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0711217105.

Weinbaum, J.S., Broekelmann, T.J., Pierce, R.A., Werneck, C.C., Segade, F., Craft, C.S., Knutsen, R.H., & Mecham, R.P. (2008). Deficiency in microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 leads to complex phenotypes in multiple organ systems. J Biol Chem, 283(37), 25533-25543.Elsevier. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M709962200.

Werneck, C.C., Vicente, C.P., Weinberg, J.S., Shifren, A., Pierce, R.A., Broekelmann, T.J., Tollefsen, D.M., & Mecham, R.P. (2008). Mice lacking the extracellular matrix protein MAGP1 display delayed thrombotic occlusion following vessel injury. Blood, 111(8), 4137-4144.American Society of Hematology. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-07-101733.

Estacion, M., Weinberg, J.S., Sinkins, W.G., & Schilling, W.P. (2003). Blockade of maitotoxin-induced endothelial cell lysis by glycine and L-alanine. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, 284(4), C1006-C1020.American Physiological Society. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00258.2002.

Deverman, B.E., Cook, B.L., Manson, S.R., Niederhoff, R.A., Langer, E.M., Rosová, I., Kulans, L.A., Fu, X., Weinberg, J.S., Heinecke, J.W., Roth, K.A., & Weintraub, S.J. (2002). Bcl-xL deamidation is a critical switch in the regulation of the response to DNA damage. Cell, 111(1), 51-62.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(02)00972-8.

Wankhade, S., Yu, Y., Weinberg, J., Tainsky, M.A., & Kannan, P. (2000). Characterization of the activation domains of AP-2 family transcription factors. J Biol Chem, 275(38), 29701-29708.Elsevier. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M000931200.

Weinbaum, J.S. (2015). Methods for Monitoring New Elastin Formation During Elastogenic Therapy. In TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, 21, (pp. S375-S376).

Weinbaum, J., Schmidt, J., & Tranquillo, R. (2012). Combating adaptation to stretch conditioning through prolonged activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. American Society for Matrix Biology.San Diego, CA.

Pierce, R.A., Craft, C.S., Weinbaum, J.S., Broekelmann, T., & Mecham, R.P. (2009). Microfibril-associated glycoprotein-1 binds multiple active TGF-beta family members, affecting homeostasis in multiple organ systems. In FASEB JOURNAL, 23.

Research interests

aorta
extracellular matrix
extracellular matrix proteins
fibrin
Microfibrils
muscle, smooth, vascular
tissue engineering
tropoelastin