Dr Gordon’s research is focused on the formation and maintenance of the blood and lymphatic vascular systems. Vessels form complex branched networks that supply oxygen and nutrients to all body tissues. The signals controlling blood vessel expansion, identity and migration are all downstream of a single, common complex at the cell surface, yet exactly how this diverse range of functions is differentially regulated, depending on the physiological need, remains unknown.
The specific focus of Dr Gordon’s research is to determine the precise molecular signals that control cell adhesion within the vessel wall the surrounding environment. If the signals controlling cell adhesion become deregulated, normal vessel growth and function is lost. This contributes to the progression of a wide range of human diseases, including cancer growth and metastasis, diabetic eye disease and stroke. Dr Gordon aims to use novel biological models, biochemical assays and imaging techniques to better understand vessel biology, which will enable improved treatment of disease and aid in the development of vascularised, bioengineered organs.
Dr Gordon received her Bachelor of Science (2005) and PhD (2011) from The University of Adelaide, after which she undertook six years of postdoctoral studies at Yale University in the USA and Uppsala University in Sweden. With the support of an ARC DECRA Fellowship, Dr Gordon relocated to IMB in 2017 to establish her independent research career as an IMB Fellow. In 2019, she was appointed as Group Leader of the Vessel Dynamics Laboratory.
Journal Article: An E-cadherin-actin clutch translates the mechanical force of cortical flow for cell-cell contact to inhibit epithelial cell locomotion
Noordstra, Ivar, Hermoso, Mario Díez, Schimmel, Lilian, Bonfim-Melo, Alexis, Currin-Ross, Denni, Duong, Cao Nguyen, Kalappurakkal, Joseph Mathew, Morris, Richard G., Vestweber, Dietmar, Mayor, Satyajit, Gordon, Emma, Roca-Cusachs, Pere and Yap, Alpha S. (2023). An E-cadherin-actin clutch translates the mechanical force of cortical flow for cell-cell contact to inhibit epithelial cell locomotion. Developmental Cell. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.06.011
Journal Article: Macrophage ACE2 is necessary for SARS-CoV-2 replication and subsequent cytokine responses that restrict continued virion release
Labzin, Larisa I., Chew, Keng Yih, Eschke, Kathrin, Wang, Xiaohui, Esposito, Tyron, Stocks, Claudia J., Rae, James, Patrick, Ralph, Mostafavi, Helen, Hill, Brittany, Yordanov, Teodor E., Holley, Caroline L., Emming, Stefan, Fritzlar, Svenja, Mordant, Francesca L., Steinfort, Daniel P., Subbarao, Kanta, Nefzger, Christian M., Lagendijk, Anne K., Gordon, Emma J., Parton, Robert G., Short, Kirsty R., Londrigan, Sarah L. and Schroder, Kate (2023). Macrophage ACE2 is necessary for SARS-CoV-2 replication and subsequent cytokine responses that restrict continued virion release. Science Signaling, 16 (782), eabq1366. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.abq1366
Journal Article: Tyrosine-protein kinase Yes controls endothelial junctional plasticity and barrier integrity by regulating VE-cadherin phosphorylation and endocytosis
Jin, Yi, Ding, Yindi, Richards, Mark, Kaakinen, Mika, Giese, Wolfgang, Baumann, Elisabeth, Szymborska, Anna, Rosa, André, Nordling, Sofia, Schimmel, Lilian, Akmeriç, Emir Bora, Pena, Andreia, Nwadozi, Emmanuel, Jamalpour, Maria, Holstein, Katrin, Sáinz-Jaspeado, Miguel, Bernabeu, Miguel O., Welsh, Michael, Gordon, Emma, Franco, Claudio A., Vestweber, Dietmar, Eklund, Lauri, Gerhardt, Holger and Claesson-Welsh, Lena (2022). Tyrosine-protein kinase Yes controls endothelial junctional plasticity and barrier integrity by regulating VE-cadherin phosphorylation and endocytosis. Nature Cardiovascular Research, 1 (12), 1156-1173+. doi: 10.1038/s44161-022-00172-z
Adrenomedullin: a specific regulator of venous vessel integrity
(2023–2026) ARC Discovery Projects
COVID-19-induced vascular complications: mechanisms and potential therapies
(2022–2024) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
Targeting the mechanosensory properties of vessels to control dysfunction in disease
(2021–2024) National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship
Characterising the role of endothelial c-Src in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy.
(2022) Master Philosophy
Investigating the vascular dysfunction in COVID-19
Doctor Philosophy
Targetting blood vessel dysfunction in disease
Doctor Philosophy
Noordstra, Ivar, Hermoso, Mario Díez, Schimmel, Lilian, Bonfim-Melo, Alexis, Currin-Ross, Denni, Duong, Cao Nguyen, Kalappurakkal, Joseph Mathew, Morris, Richard G., Vestweber, Dietmar, Mayor, Satyajit, Gordon, Emma, Roca-Cusachs, Pere and Yap, Alpha S. (2023). An E-cadherin-actin clutch translates the mechanical force of cortical flow for cell-cell contact to inhibit epithelial cell locomotion. Developmental Cell. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.06.011
Labzin, Larisa I., Chew, Keng Yih, Eschke, Kathrin, Wang, Xiaohui, Esposito, Tyron, Stocks, Claudia J., Rae, James, Patrick, Ralph, Mostafavi, Helen, Hill, Brittany, Yordanov, Teodor E., Holley, Caroline L., Emming, Stefan, Fritzlar, Svenja, Mordant, Francesca L., Steinfort, Daniel P., Subbarao, Kanta, Nefzger, Christian M., Lagendijk, Anne K., Gordon, Emma J., Parton, Robert G., Short, Kirsty R., Londrigan, Sarah L. and Schroder, Kate (2023). Macrophage ACE2 is necessary for SARS-CoV-2 replication and subsequent cytokine responses that restrict continued virion release. Science Signaling, 16 (782), eabq1366. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.abq1366
Jin, Yi, Ding, Yindi, Richards, Mark, Kaakinen, Mika, Giese, Wolfgang, Baumann, Elisabeth, Szymborska, Anna, Rosa, André, Nordling, Sofia, Schimmel, Lilian, Akmeriç, Emir Bora, Pena, Andreia, Nwadozi, Emmanuel, Jamalpour, Maria, Holstein, Katrin, Sáinz-Jaspeado, Miguel, Bernabeu, Miguel O., Welsh, Michael, Gordon, Emma, Franco, Claudio A., Vestweber, Dietmar, Eklund, Lauri, Gerhardt, Holger and Claesson-Welsh, Lena (2022). Tyrosine-protein kinase Yes controls endothelial junctional plasticity and barrier integrity by regulating VE-cadherin phosphorylation and endocytosis. Nature Cardiovascular Research, 1 (12), 1156-1173+. doi: 10.1038/s44161-022-00172-z
Endothelial cells are not productively infected by SARS‐CoV‐2
Schimmel, Lilian, Chew, Keng Yih, Stocks, Claudia J., Yordanov, Teodor E., Essebier, Patricia, Kulasinghe, Arutha, Monkman, James, Santos Miggiolaro, Anna Flavia Ribeiro, Cooper, Caroline, Noronha, Lucia, Schroder, Kate, Lagendijk, Anne Karine, Labzin, Larisa I., Short, Kirsty R. and Gordon, Emma J. (2021). Endothelial cells are not productively infected by SARS‐CoV‐2. Clinical and Translational Immunology, 10 (10) e1350, e1350. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1350
Endothelial junctional membrane protrusions serve as hotspots for neutrophil transmigration
Arts, Janine J. G., Mahlandt, Eike K., Grönloh, Max, Schimmel, Lilian, Noordstra, Ivar, Gordon, Emma, van Steen, Abraham C.I., Tol, Simon, Walzog, Barbara, van Rijssel, Jos, Nolte, Martijn A., Postma, Marten, Khuon, Satya, Heddleston, John M., Wait, Eric, Chew, Teng Leong, Winter, Mark, Montanez, Eloi, Goedhart, Joachim and van Buul, Jaap D. (2021). Endothelial junctional membrane protrusions serve as hotspots for neutrophil transmigration. eLife, 10 e66074. doi: 10.7554/elife.66074
Englert, Hanna, Rangaswamy, Chandini, Deppermann, Carsten, Sperhake, Jan-Peter, Krisp, Christoph, Schreier, Danny, Gordon, Emma, Konrath, Sandra, Haddad, Munif, Pula, Giordano, Mailer, Reiner K, Schlüter, Hartmut, Kluge, Stefan, Langer, Florian, Püschel, Klaus, Panousis, Kosta, Stavrou, Evi X, Maas, Coen, Renné, Thomas and Frye, Maike (2021). Defective NET clearance contributes to sustained FXII activation in COVID-19-associated pulmonary thrombo-inflammation. EBioMedicine, 67 103382, 103382. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103382
Vion, Anne-Clémence, Perovic, Tijana, Petit, Charlie, Hollfinger, Irene, Bartels-Klein, Eireen, Frampton, Emmanuelle, Gordon, Emma, Claesson-Welsh, Lena and Gerhardt, Holger (2021). Endothelial cell orientation and polarity are controlled by shear stress and VEGF through distinct signaling pathways. Frontiers in Physiology, 11 623769, 623769. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.623769
Karunakaran, Denuja, Nguyen, My-Anh, Geoffrion, Michele, Vreeken, Dianne, Lister, Zachary, Cheng, Henry S., Otte, Nicola, Essebier, Patricia, Wyatt, Hailey, Kandiah, Joshua W., Jung, Richard, Alenghat, Francis J., Mompeon, Ana, Lee, Richard, Pan, Calvin, Gordon, Emma, Rasheed, Adil, Lusis, Aldons J., Liu, Peter, Matic, Ljubica Perisic, Hedin, Ulf, Fish, Jason E., Guo, Liang, Kolodgie, Frank, Virmani, Renu, van Gils, Janine M. and Rayner, Katey J. (2021). RIPK1 expression associates with inflammation in early atherosclerosis in humans and can be therapeutically silenced to reduce NF-κB activation and atherogenesis in mice. Circulation, 143 (2) CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038379, 163-177. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038379
The importance of mechanical forces for in vitro endothelial cell biology
Gordon, Emma, Schimmel, Lilian and Frye, Maike (2020). The importance of mechanical forces for in vitro endothelial cell biology. Frontiers in Physiology, 11 684, 684. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00684
MAFB modulates the maturation of lymphatic vascular networks in mice
Rondon‐Galeano, Maria, Skoczylas, Renae, Bower, Neil I., Simons, Cas, Gordon, Emma, Francois, Mathias, Koltowska, Katarzyna and Hogan, Benjamin M. (2020). MAFB modulates the maturation of lymphatic vascular networks in mice. Developmental Dynamics, 249 (10) dvdy.209, 1201-1216. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.209
Vascular permeability in retinopathy is regulated by VEGFR2 Y949 signaling to VE-cadherin
Smith, Ross O., Ninchoji, Takeshi, Gordon, Emma, André, Helder, Dejana, Elisabetta, Vestweber, Dietmar, Kvanta, Anders and Claesson-Welsh, Lena (2020). Vascular permeability in retinopathy is regulated by VEGFR2 Y949 signaling to VE-cadherin. eLife, 9 e54056. doi: 10.7554/eLife.54056
Schimmel, Lilian, Fukuhara, Daisuke, Richards, Mark, Jin, Yi, Essebier, Patricia, Frampton, Emmanuelle, Hedlund, Marie, Dejana, Elisabetta, Claesson-Welsh, Lena and Gordon, Emma (2020). c-Src controls stability of sprouting blood vessels in the developing retina independently of cell-cell adhesion through focal adhesion assembly. Development, 147 (7) 185405, dev.185405. doi: 10.1242/dev.185405
The precise molecular signals that control endothelial cell–cell adhesion within the vessel wall
Schimmel, Lilian and Gordon, Emma (2018). The precise molecular signals that control endothelial cell–cell adhesion within the vessel wall. Biochemical Society Transactions, 46 (6), 1673-1680. doi: 10.1042/bst20180377
Caolo, Vincenza, Peacock, Hanna M., Kasaai, Bahar, Swennen, Geertje, Gordon, Emma, Claesson-Welsh, Lena, Post, Mark J., Verhamme, Peter and Jones, Elizabeth A. V. (2018). Shear stress and VE-cadherin. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 38 (9), 2174-2183. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.310823
Mechanisms and regulation of endothelial VEGF receptor signalling
Simons, Michael, Gordon, Emma and Claesson-Welsh, Lena (2016). Mechanisms and regulation of endothelial VEGF receptor signalling. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 17 (10), 611-625. doi: 10.1038/nrm.2016.87
Gordon, Emma J., Fukuhara, Daisuke, Westrom, Simone, Padhan, Narendra, Sjostrom, Elisabet O., van Meeteren, Laurens, He, Liqun, Orsenigo, Fabrizio, Dejana, Elisabetta, Bentley, Katie, Spurkland, Anne and Claesson-Welsh, Lena (2016). The endothelial adaptor molecule TSAd is required for VEGF-induced angiogenic sprouting through junctional c-Src activation. Science Signaling, 9 (437) ra72, ra72-ra72. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.aad9256
Novel affinity binders for neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling
Fleetwood, Filippa, Guler, Rezan, Gordon, Emma, Stahl, Stefan, Claesson-Welsh, Lena and Lofblom, John (2016). Novel affinity binders for neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 73 (8), 1671-1683. doi: 10.1007/s00018-015-2088-7
VEGFR2 pY949 signalling regulates adherens junction integrity and metastatic spread
Li, Xiujuan, Padhan, Narendra, Sjostrom, Elisabet O., Roche, Francis P., Testini, Chiara, Honkura, Naoki, Sainz-Jaspeado, Miguel, Gordon, Emma, Bentley, Katie, Philippides, Andrew, Tolmachev, Vladimir, Dejana, Elisabetta, Stan, Radu V., Vestweber, Dietmar, Ballmer-Hofer, Kurt, Betsholtz, Christer, Pietras, Kristian, Jansson, Leif and Claesson-Welsh, Lena (2016). VEGFR2 pY949 signalling regulates adherens junction integrity and metastatic spread. Nature Communications, 7 (1) 11017. doi: 10.1038/ncomms11017
Alk1 and Alk5 inhibition by Nrp1 controls vascular sprouting downstream of Notch
Aspalter, Irene Maria, Gordon, Emma, Dubrac, Alexandre, Ragab, Anan, Narloch, Jarek, Vizan, Pedro, Geudens, Ilse, Collins, Russell Thomas, Franco, Claudio Areias, Abrahams, Cristina Luna, Thurston, Gavin, Fruttiger, Marcus, Rosewell, Ian, Eichmann, Anne and Gerhardt, Holger (2015). Alk1 and Alk5 inhibition by Nrp1 controls vascular sprouting downstream of Notch. Nature Communications, 6 (1) 7264. doi: 10.1038/ncomms8264
Netrin-1 controls sympathetic arterial innervation
Brunet, Isabelle, Gordon, Emma, Han, Jinah, Cristofaro, Brunella, Broqueres-You, Dong, Liu, Chun, Bouvree, Karine, Zhang, Jiasheng, del Toro, Raquel, Mathivet, Thomas, Larrivee, Bruno, Jagu, Julia, Pibouin-Fragner, Laurence, Pardanaud, Luc, Machado, Maria J. C., Kennedy, Timothy E., Zhuang, Zhen, Simons, Michael, Levy, Bernard I., Tessier-Lavigne, Marc, Grenz, Almut, Eltzschig, Holger and Eichmann, Anne (2014). Netrin-1 controls sympathetic arterial innervation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 124 (7), 3230-3240. doi: 10.1172/JCI75181
Deciphering the roles of macrophages in developmental and inflammation stimulated lymphangiogenesis
Harvey, Natasha L. and Gordon, Emma J. (2012). Deciphering the roles of macrophages in developmental and inflammation stimulated lymphangiogenesis. Vascular Cell, 4 (1) 15, 15. doi: 10.1186/2045-824X-4-15
Semaphorin3A, Neuropilin-1, and PlexinA1 are required for lymphatic valve formation
Bouvree, Karine, Brunet, Isabelle, del Toro, Raquel, Gordon, Emma, Prahst, Claudia, Cristofaro, Brunella, Mathivet, Thomas, Xu, Yunling, Soueid, Jihane, Fortuna, Vitor, Miura, Nayoki, Aigrot, Marie-Stephane, Maden, Charlotte H., Ruhrberg, Christiana, Thomas, Jean Leon and Eichmann, Anne (2012). Semaphorin3A, Neuropilin-1, and PlexinA1 are required for lymphatic valve formation. Circulation Research, 111 (4), 437-445. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.112.269316
ALK1 signaling inhibits angiogenesis by cooperating with the Notch pathway
Larrivee, Bruno, Prahst, Claudia, Gordon, Emma, del Toro, Raquel, Mathivet, Thomas, Duarte, Antonio, Simons, Michael and Eichmann, Anne (2012). ALK1 signaling inhibits angiogenesis by cooperating with the Notch pathway. Developmental Cell, 22 (3), 489-500. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2012.02.005
Gordon, Emma J., Rao, Sujata, Pollard, Jeffrey W., Nutt, Stephen L., Lang, Richard A. and Harvey, Natasha L. (2010). Macrophages define dermal lymphatic vessel calibre during development by regulating lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation. Development, 137 (22), 3899-3910. doi: 10.1242/dev.050021
Gordon, Emma J., Gale, Nicholas W. and Harvey, Natasha L. (2008). Expression of the hyaluronan receptor LYVE-1 is not restricted to the lymphatic vasculature; LYVE-1 is also expressed on embryonic blood vessels. Developmental Dynamics, 237 (7), 1901-1909. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.21605
Adrenomedullin: a specific regulator of venous vessel integrity
(2023–2026) ARC Discovery Projects
COVID-19-induced vascular complications: mechanisms and potential therapies
(2022–2024) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
Targeting the mechanosensory properties of vessels to control dysfunction in disease
(2021–2024) National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship
Defining mechanisms behind the formation of hierarchical vascular networks
(2020–2023) ARC Discovery Projects
Mechanisms to promote vascular normalisation and barrier integrity
(2019–2023) NHMRC Project Grant
Molecular cues guiding cell dynamics during pathological blood vessel sprouting
(2018) UQ Early Career Researcher
Molecular signals guiding dynamic cell movement during blood vessel growth
(2017–2020) ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
Investigating the vascular dysfunction in COVID-19
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Targetting blood vessel dysfunction in disease
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Diseases of arterial stiffening and the mechanisms which induce blood vessel dysfunction
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Investigating the role of the blood vasculature in Medulloblastoma progression using zebrafish models
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Characterising the role of endothelial c-Src in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy.
(2022) Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: