Highlighted Researcher: Dan Perrien, PhD

What is your professional background? 
My research training focused on skeletal regeneration and physiology at Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where I received my PhD under the direction of Dr. Dana Gaddy in 2006. That was followed by a short 2 years leading preclinical and early clinical development of a biological bone repair product at a small biotech company, before returning to academia at Vanderbilt University. There, I was a faculty member in the Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology and the Departments of Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery for approximately 11 years before moving to Emory in August 2019.

In what division do you work, and who is your mentor? 
I was recruited to the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids by Dr. Roberto Pacifici, who also serves as my mentor.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important? 
My laboratory aims to understand the roles of innate immune cells and inflammation in the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal diseases. We currently focus on heterotopic ossification, which occurs in over 100,000 trauma and joint replacement patients each year, and an untreatable rare disease, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), in which skeletal muscle is episodically replaced by bone leading complete immobilization. Using complex genetically engineered mouse models, various in vitro systems, and patient samples, we are beginning to unravel interactions of inflammatory and BMP signaling pathways that initiate these processes. The mechanisms we have discovered likely also have broad impact in bone and muscle regeneration and fundamental musculoskeletal physiology. By focusing on the unique pathophysiologies of rare bone diseases, like FOP, I aim to continue discovering mechanisms that will provide novel insights into fundamental processes in musculoskeletal biology while supporting development of disease-specific therapies.

What do you like most about Emory? 
From a research perspective, I have been particularly impressed by the number of multidisciplinary collaborations, which I believe are the key to sustaining the success of academic research programs.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Pulp Fiction – “mmmm, that is a tasty burger.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time at the lake, either swimming with my wife and daughter or bass fishing. In the winter, we head to the ski resorts whenever we can, but not nearly enough.

What is a fun fact about you?
I am a huge fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Go Hogs!