University of Texas Southwestern
Levi Laboratory

Center for Organogenesis & Trauma
Children’s Medical Center Research Institute
Benjamin Levi, MD

Close Collaborators at UTSW:
Sean J. Morrison, PhD

Research

Our NIH/DOD funded laboratory focuses primarily on the role of trauma on stem cell migration and differentiation. Specifically, we focus on bone healing both in the craniofacial and appendicular skeleton. Additionally, we focus on the process of heterotopic ossification after trauma. Heterotopic ossification (HO) leads to bone deposition in extra-skeletal sites severely restricting range of motion, limiting prosthetic use and causing chronic pain and wounds. HO occurs in over 20% of primary hip replacements, extremity traumas, amputations, large total body surface area burns, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and pressure ulcers, and over 65% of repeat hip replacements and blast injuries. Our group focuses on early detection and prevention through targeted mechanism-based therapeutic approaches.

Selected Publications

1. Sorkin, M, Huber, AK, Hwang, C, Carson, WF 4th, Menon, R, Li, J, Vasquez, K, Pagani, C, Patel, N, Li, S, Visser, ND, Niknafs, Y, Loder, S, Scola, M, Nycz, D, Gallagher, K, McCauley, LK, Xu, J, James, AW, Agarwal, S, Kunkel, S, Mishina, Y, Levi, B. Regulation of heterotopic ossification by monocytes in a mouse model of aberrant wound healing. Nat Commun. 2020;11 (1):722. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-14172-4. PubMed PMID:32024825 PubMed Central PMC7002453.
2. Hwang, C, Marini, S, Huber, AK, Stepien, DM, Sorkin, M, Loder, S, Pagani, CA, Li, J, Visser, ND, Vasquez, K, Garada, MA, Li, S, Xu, J, Hsu, CY, Yu, PB, James, AW, Mishina, Y, Agarwal, S, Li, J, Levi, B. Mesenchymal VEGFA induces aberrant differentiation in heterotopic ossification. Bone Res. 2019;7 :36. doi: 10.1038/s41413-019-0075-6. PubMed PMID:31840004 PubMed Central PMC6904752.Agarwal, S, Loder, SJ, Cholok, D, Li, J, Bian, G, Yalavarthi, S, Li, S, Carson, WF, Hwang, C, Marini, S, Pagani, C, Edwards, N, Delano, MJ, Standiford, TJ, Knight, JS, Kunkel, SL, Mishina, Y, Ward, PA, Levi, B. Disruption of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Links Mechanical Strain to Post-traumatic Inflammation. Front Immunol. 2019;10 :2148. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02148. PubMed PMID:31708911 PubMed Central PMC6821718
3. Agarwal, S, Loder, S, Brownley, C, Cholok, D, Mangiavini, L, Li, J, Breuler, C, Sung, HH, Li, S, Ranganathan, K, Peterson, J, Tompkins, R, Herndon, D, Xiao, W, Jumlongras, D, Olsen, BR, Davis, TA, Mishina, Y, Schipani, E, Levi, B. Inhibition of Hif1α prevents both trauma-induced and genetic heterotopic ossification. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2016;113 (3):E338-47. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1515397113. PubMed PMID:26721400 PubMed Central PMC4725488.

Contact if interested: Benjamin.Levi@UTSouthwestern.edu

Post-doctoral scientist in bone repair, regenerative medicine, and stem cell biology

Seeking excellent, enthusiastic and self-motivated Post-doctoral scientist applicant. Join the Levi
laboratory at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Primary research topics funded
by the NIH and DOD include 1) understanding mesenchymal progenitors responsible for ectopic
bone formation and how they interact with myeloid and other cells in the microenvironment
cells, 2) functional and antigenic heterogeneity of mesenchymal progenitor and myeloid cells
within mouse and human tissues, 3) mechanotransductive, sensory neural and lymphatic
regulation of bone formation and repair, 4) characterizing the role of mesenchymal cells in
muscle fibrosis. Additional overlapping projects in bone tissue engineering, burn injury, and
osteosarcoma.
Preferred areas of experience – transgenic animal models, stem cell and molecular biology,
bioinformatics, advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culture, RNA isolation, qRT PCR,
cryo-cutting and immunohistochemistry.

Tenure-track appointment in Bioinformatics

The Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center is currently recruiting for a
research faculty member to serve as a bio-informatician in the Division of General and Acute
Care Surgery with the opportunity for a co-appointment in the Department of Bioinformatics.
Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishments and experience.
Applicant should have a completed a postdoctoral fellowship. This individual will be required to
oversee an independent bioinformatics portfolio and to collaborate with other laboratories in the Department of Surgery. Additionally, they will be expected to interact with the bioinformatics and genomics cores at UT Southwestern and run independent projects as well as securing funding.
A commitment to basic and translational research is essential. Faculty should be comfortable
with single cell RNA sequencing, single cell ATAC, and high-throughput proteomic analyses.
Experience with machine learning will be critical, but no formal coursework is required. Faculty
should also be facile with programming platforms including R and Python, as well as basic linux
system administration.

Research Scientist, Assistant, Technician

Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and personally participates in assigned scientific or medical research project.
Selects or assists in selection of key research personnel. Determines specific goals or objectives to be attained and
assigns and reviews work of subordinates. Plans experimental protocols.
Reviews and analyzes resulting research data. Revises techniques or approaches to work problems as indicated
necessary by research data.
Compiles, writes, and submits research results to supervisor. Prepares or assists in preparation of research papers,
reports, and abstracts for publication as one of co-authors.
Designs, develops, or adapts equipment used in experiments or research to obtain desired results.
Plans and supervises training of technicians and other laboratory personnel with respect to proper laboratory
techniques, use of laboratory equipment, and safety procedures.
May confer with industrial, governmental, or other groups concerning progress or results of research project.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Primary research topics funded by the NIH and DOD include:
1) understanding mesenchymal progenitors responsible for ectopic bone formation and how they interact with
myeloid and other cells in the microenvironment cells,
2) functional and antigenic heterogeneity of mesenchymal progenitor and myeloid cells within mouse and human
tissues,
3) mechanotransductive, sensory neural and lymphatic regulation of bone formation and repair,
4) characterizing the role of mesenchymal cells in muscle fibrosis. Additional overlapping projects in bone tissue
engineering, burn injury, and osteosarcoma.
Preferred areas of experience – transgenic animal models, stem cell and molecular biology, bioinformatics, advanced
microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
**Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.