Maurizio Pacifici, PhD
About Maurizio Pacifici
Titles
Director of Research, Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery – American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Editorial and Academic Positions
Editorial positions
2007-present, Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling
2007-present, Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Arthroplasty
2006-present, Editorial Advisory Board, Matrix Biology
Academic positions
2008-2010, Member, Research Advisory Committee, Thomas Jefferson University
2003-2010, Member, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University
2003-2007, Member, Research Committee, Thomas Jefferson University
2002-present, External examiner, Honors Program, Swarthmore College
1999-present, External examiner, PhD thesis, Medical School, University of Rome
Research Interests
Mechanisms that control skeletal development and growth Synovial joint formation in fetal and postnatal life Creating new treatments for rare diseases, including hereditary multiple exostoses (HME), fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), and heterotopic ossification (HO)
Education & training
Undergraduate Degree
BA — Liceo Scientifico
Graduate Degree
PhD — Institute of Histology & Embryology, University of Rome School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
Fellowship
Post-doctoral Fellow — Institute of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Fellow — Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Additional Training
Research Associate — Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Publications
Publications
2010
Koyama E, Yasuda T, Minugh-Purvs N, Kinumatsu T, Yallowitz AR, Wellik DM, et al. Hox 11 genes establish synovial joint organization and phylogenetic characteristics in developing mouse zeugopod skeletal elements. Development . 2010; 137: 3795-3800.
Williams JA, Kane M, Okabe T, Enomoto-Iwamoto M, Napoli JL, Pacifici M, et al. Endogenous retinoids in mammalian growth plate cartilage: analysis and roles in matrix homeostasis and turnover. J. Biol. Chem. 2010; 285: 36674-36681.
Kondo N, Yuasa T, Shimono K, Tung W, Okabe T, Yasuhara R, et al. Imbalance of Wnt/b-catenin signaling causes deformity of intervertebral disc organization. Spine. 2011 Epub Jan. 25; doi 10:1097/BRS.0b013e3181f52cb.
Koyama, E., Yasuda, T., Wellik, D.M., and Pacifici, M. (2010). Hox11 paralogous genes are required for formation of wrist and ankle joints and articular surface organization. Annu. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1192, 307-316.