Dr. Serrano’s research program at BU aims to develop pioneering work toward understanding shared cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodevelopment and vasculogenesis in the context of rare diseases with an epigenetic basis. Examples of these are Kabuki Syndrome, caused by pathogenic variants in the KMT2D gene, and KAT6-related disorders.
Dr. Serrano created the stable null KMT2D zebrafish mutant line and fully characterized multiple novel cardiovascular phenotypes for the first time in zebrafish. In addition, her work led to her discovery that KMT2D directly modulates Notch signaling and that some of the Kabuki Syndrome phenotypes can be alleviated by controlling levels of the Notch pathway.
Her research interest focuses on studying non-canonical epigenetic mechanisms regulating neuronal differentiation and blood vessel patterning. This is specifically during cell differentiation, migration, and cell cycle progression. To reach this goal, Dr. Serrano combines her expertise in rare disease modeling in zebrafish, cardiovascular and neurobiology techniques, and human iPSC-derived nervous system organoids.
One of Dr. Serrano’s goals is to bridge the gap between basic research, clinicians, and patients by building a research network that will encourage interdisciplinary collaborations in the field of rare diseases. Her work in the field of rare diseases, commitment to mentoring, and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical elements of Dr. Serrano’s professional goals and lab vision.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
In our lab, we nurture a culture that values diversity, collaboration, and scientific rigor. I’ve mentored students from underrepresented communities in science and offered long-term support beyond their experiences in the lab.
I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for scientific discussion. I understand the importance to show openness by exhibiting my challenges as a first-generation Latin American woman in STEM. I do so while also showing strong confidence in executing the necessary steps to overcome them. This strategy offers a leveled and respectful framework for mentees from all backgrounds and experience levels to find their scientific voice.
I believe that improving ethnic and racial representation in academia requires strategies that will encourage future scientists from a very early age. I have worked with programs and panel discussions designed to encourage K-12 students to think of themselves as scientists, teaching them that curiosity is the only required skill to be a scientist, and sharing with them programs that can help them to achieve their goals if they wish to pursue a path in STEM.
I also focus on longer-term mentorship. I maintain contact with past trainees, show interest in their subsequent professional paths, and make myself available to support them through challenges in academia. I believe in the higher purpose of science and the ability of my former mentees to impact directly and profoundly their underserved communities.
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This tab shows grant data from BU Sponsored Research. It includes:
- Grant title
- Project period and this person’s role on the grant
- PI name, if this person is not the PI (the name will link if PI has a BU Profile)
- Funding source(s). An arrow indicates the flow of funding if multiple sponsors.
- Some grants will show an agency award/project number, and may be a link.
- Data is sorted by project end date, and updated monthly.
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- Grant title
- Project period and this person’s role on the grant
- PI name, if this person is not the PI (the name will link if PI has a BU Profile)
- Funding source(s). An arrow indicates the flow of funding if multiple sponsors.
- Some grants will show an agency award/project number, and may be a link.
- Data is sorted by project end date, and updated monthly.
This tab shows grant data from the Boston VA. We are only showing grant title, and only for people in the role of PI.
Discovering mechanisms of Kabuki Syndrome neurodevelopmental defects in zebrafish and human iPSC-derived brain organoids01/01/2022 - 12/31/2022 (PI)
Warren Alpert Foundation
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Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other
sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can
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to make corrections and additions.
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Golden CS, Williams S, Serrano MA. Molecular insights of KMT2D and clinical aspects of Kabuki syndrome type 1. Birth Defects Res. 2023 Nov 15; 115(19):1809-1824. PMID: 37158694; PMCID: PMC10845236; DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2183;
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Serrano MLA, Demarest BL, Tone-Pah-Hote T, Tristani-Firouzi M, Yost HJ. Inhibition of Notch signaling rescues cardiovascular development in Kabuki Syndrome. PLoS Biol. 2019 09; 17(9):e3000087. PMID: 31479440; PMCID: PMC6743796; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000087;
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Karanth S, Adams JD, Serrano MLA, Quittner-Strom EB, Simcox J, Villanueva CJ, Ozcan L, Holland WL, Yost HJ, Vella A, Schlegel A. A Hepatocyte FOXN3-a Cell Glucagon Axis Regulates Fasting Glucose. Cell Rep. 2018 07 10; 24(2):312-319. PMID: 29996093; PMCID: PMC6086569; DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.06.039;
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Serrano Mde L, Luque ME, Sánchez SS. Xepac protein and IP3/Ca2+ pathway implication during Xenopus laevis vitellogenesis. Zygote. 2015 Feb; 23(1):99-110. PMID: 23890344; DOI: 10.1017/S0967199413000324;
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Luque ME, Serrano Mde L, Mónaco ME, Villecco EI, Sánchez SS. Involvement of cAMP and calmodulin in endocytic yolk uptake during Xenopus laevis oogenesis. Zygote. 2013 Feb; 21(1):1-9. PMID: 21554771; DOI: 10.1017/S0967199411000207;
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Luque ME, Serrano MA, Honoré SM, Mónaco ME, Sánchez SS. Cell adhesion glycoprotein vitronectin during Xenopus laevis embryogenesis. Gene Expr Patterns. 2010 Jun; 10(4-5):207-13. PMID: 20302971; DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2010.03.002;
This graph shows the total number of publications by year, by first, middle/unknown,
or last author.
| Year | Publications |
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| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2023 Boston University:
Janetos Climate Action Prize
2022-2023 Boston University:
CCL Grant
2022 KAT6 Foundation:
KAT6A and KAT6B patients iPSC bank
2020-2022 Warren Alpert:
Warren-Alpert Distinguished Scholar Transition Grant
2018-2020 American Heart Association :
Postdoctoral Fellowship
2017-2018 American Association of Anatomists:
Postdoctoral Fellowship
I aspire to be a “transitional mentor,” someone whose mentees are in the process of continual improvement throughout their professional journey to become better mentors and leaders themselves. Equally, I am always something of a mentee myself, someone who teaches her students and learns from them. I also guide mentees to achieve professional goals while establishing clear expectations. I encourage independence and ownership of scientific projects while promoting accountability. I nurture creative thinking while offering guidelines to thrive in the wider scientific community. I promote mentoring teams so that my mentees can benefit from diverse leaders in our field. I cultivate a safe environment where failure engenders the opportunity to learn. I promote openness, and I try to spark commitment and passion in each mentee and among each other by encouraging them to contribute to the development of the strategic plan for the lab.
Available to Mentor as: (Review Mentor Role Definitions):
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Advisor
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Career Mentor
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Co-Mentor or Peer Mentor
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Diversity Mentor
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Project Mentor
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Research / Scholarly Mentor
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Work / Life Integration Mentor