Maurizio Pacifici, PhD

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Maurizio Pacifici, PhD, is Director of Orthopaedic Research at CHOP and has a special interest in creating new treatments for rare diseases, including hereditary multiple exostoses (HME), fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), and heterotopic ossification (HO).

Locations: Main Hospital
Appointments and Referrals: 1-800-TRY-CHOP (1-800-879-2467)

Education and Training

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

Board Certification

Orthopaedic Surgery – American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Undergraduate Degree

BA — Liceo Scientifico

Graduate Degree

PhD — Institute of Histology & Embryology, University of Rome School of Medicine, Rome, Italy

Titles and Academic Titles

Director of Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Bong S. Lee Endowed Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedics

Departments and Services

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)

Publications

Papers

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.
 

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