Linda C. Samuelson, PhD

John A. Williams Collegiate Professor of Gastrointestinal Physiology
Professor, Molecular & Integrative Physiology
Professor, Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology
Director, Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design (CPOD)

2041 BSRB
109 Zina Pitcher Pl. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200

lcsam@umich.edu
(734) 764-9448
Articles ↓ Web Sites ↓

Areas of Interest

Dr. Samuelson’s research program examines the development and function of epithelial cells in stomach and intestine.  We are interested in how basic developmental pathways, growth factors and immune modulators function to regulate epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation in normal physiology and disease. Our approach is to use genetically engineered mouse models and organ culture systems to interrogate pathways regulating epithelial cell homeostasis.  Recent studies have focused on the importance of Notch signaling for regulating stem and progenitor cells.  In the intestine, we have determined that Notch plays a fundamental role in cell lineage choice between absorptive enterocytes and secretory cell types (goblet, endocrine, Paneth). These studies identified Atoh1 and Neurogenin3 as key transcriptional effectors regulating secretory cell differentiation. More recent findings demonstrate a distinct function for Notch signaling to maintain the intestinal stem cell. We have also shown that Notch regulates cellular proliferation and cell fate determination in the stomach, thus suggesting that this signaling pathway plays a fundamental role for epithelial cell renewal in the gastrointestinal tract.

Honors & Awards

  • 2020  Horace W. Davenport Distinguished Lecturer, The American Physiological Society
  • 2016  Lyman Briggs College Distinguished Alumni Award, Michigan State University
  • 2015  Fellow of the American Physiological Society, inaugural class
  • 2015  R. Robert & Sally D. Funderburg Research Award in Gastric Cancer, The American Gastroenterological Association Research Foundation
  • 2014  Morton I. Grossman award for outstanding research in Gastroenterology, The American Gastroenterological Association
  • 2013  Takeda Distinguished Scientist Award, American Physiological Society Gastrointestinal & Liver Section
  • 2012  Excellence in Mentorship Award, Program in Biomedical Sciences, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Credentials

  • B.S. Michigan State University
  • Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1984

Published Articles or Reviews

  • Hibdon, E.S., N. Razumilava, T.M. Keeley, G. Wong, S. Solanki, Y.M. Shah, L.C. Samuelson.  Notch and mTOR signaling pathways promote human gastric cancer cell proliferation. Neoplasia (in press, 2019).
  • Samuelson, L.C.  News and Views: Intestinal Niche Conundrum Solved.  Nature 558:380-381(2018).
  • Bohin, N., E.A. Carlson, L.C. Samuelson. Genome toxicity and impaired stem cell function after conditional activation of CreERT2 in the intestine. Stem Cell Reports 11:1337-1346 (2018). PMCID: PMC6294112.
  • Gifford, G.B., E.S. Demitrack, T.M. Keeley, A. Tam, N. LaCunza, P.H. Didhia, J.R. Spence, D.M. Simeone, I. Saotome, A. Louvi, C.W. Siebel, L.C. Samuelson.  Notch1 and Notch2 receptors regulate mouse and human gastric antral epithelial cell homeostasis. Gut. 66:1001-1011 (2017).  PMCID: PMC5009003 Featured as the Top Story in Intestinal Cell News 2.09. March 11, 2016.
  • Demitrack, E.S., G.B. Gifford, A.J. Carulli, T.M. Keeley, K.L. VanDussen, D. Thomas, T. Giordano, Z. Liu, R. Kopan and L.C. Samuelson. Notch Signaling Regulates Gastric Antral LGR5 Stem Cell Function. EMBO J 34:2522-36 (2015). PMCID: PMC4609184
  • Accompanying News & Views editorial commentary: Yin, X. and J.M. Karp. Stomaching Notch. EMBO J 34:2489-91 (2015).
  • Carulli, A.J., T.M. Keeley, E.S. Demitrack, J. Chung, I. Maillard, L.C. Samuelson.  Notch Receptor Regulation of Intestinal Stem Cell Homeostasis and Crypt Regeneration. Dev. Biol. 402:98-108 (2015). PMCID: PMC4433599
  • VanDussen, K.L., A. J. Carulli, T.M. Keeley, S.R. Patel, B.J. Puthoff, S.T. Magness, I.T. Tran, I. Mallard, C. Siebel, A. Kolterud, A. Grosse, D.L. Gumucio, S.A. Ernst, Y-H Tsai, P. Dempsey and L.C. Samuelson.  Notch Signaling Modulates Proliferation and Differentiation of Intestinal Crypt Base Columnar Stem Cells.  Development 139:488-497 (2012). PMCID: PMC3252352 Featured in EuroStemCell and The Node.

Additional Publications in Pubmed

Web Sites

Samuelson Lab