The showstopper lab of Lindsey Burnett, MD, PhD provides a lens into scientific discovery meets mechanistic understanding of integrated care for the pelvic floor, bladder health, and birth injury
In the lab: Lindsey Burnett, MD, PhD
Background Story of a Savant Scientist, Biologist, and Urogynecologist
Translational research is in the DNA of molecular and cellular biologist Lindsey Burnett, MD, PhD. Described by colleagues as a "rising and shining star", Dr. Burnett is an all-around clinician, researcher, Assistant Professor of Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Sciences in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, and Director of the Pelvic Health After Birth Clinic focused on postpartum pelvic health. Best in class mentors during residency and fellowship at UC San Diego/Kaiser fueled her curiosity and ingenuity for urogynecology. Her lab combines insight from her fellowship work exploring the urinary microbiome and recurrent UTI with Linda Brubaker, MD and pelvic floor muscle adaptations and response to biomaterials with Marianna Alperin, MD, MS.
From Lab Discoveries to Clinical Phoenixes
An extraordinary accomplishment in discovering/characterizing the first vertebrate sperm chemoattractant ALLURIN in amphibians and implications for mammalian sperm physiology gave way to a new frontier postdoc fellowship in physiology and biophysics with Dr. Burnett's breakthrough find of a testicular-specific adenosine receptor – also expressed in humans. A grant-funded pirouette from "bench to bedside" in medical school and P.I. Dr. Burnett discovered regulation of EMMPRIN release from human uterine epithelial cells all while teaching Cell & Tissue Biology and Pathology to peers and co-directing a free well-woman clinic. Dr. Burnett is a Reproductive Scientist Development Program (RSDP) Scholar, and her life-improving lab work has been funded by IUGA, ACTRI Pilot, UCSD Senate, Center for Perinatal Discovery, Reproductive Sciences Seed, and Center for Empathy grants.
From left: Dr. Burnett and Dr. Alperin collaborating at the Society for Reproductive Investigation, Burnett lab members Ella Rust, Tiffany Aung, and Katelyn Fong at the American Physiological Society, and Dr. Burnett at the AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting
UC San Diego Burnett Lab Team
Burnett Lab Goals and Active Research
"The goal in my lab is to apply molecular and cellular biology approaches to questions in urogynecology and advance molecular insights into pelvic floor disorders through translational Research."
– Lindsey Burnett, MD, PhD
A Fortitude to Advance Innovation → Collaboration → Translation
Dr. Burnett's Lab is ablaze clinically advancing research towards their service-oriented goals to achieve higher quality of life within the urogynecology care spectrum. A strong pride in mentoring student scientists is paramount to the lab's lightning success. Significant leaps forward and discoveries unveiled:
“Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Urinary and Fecal Incontinence, and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection conditions currently affect ~30% of women and clinical studies show Bowel and Bladder Incontinence are Perceived as worse than death”
– Lindsey Burnett, MD, PhD
Fig. 1| Burnett Lab: Urinary Metabolome Reflected in Bladder Health
Fig. 2 | Burnett Lab: Hyperelongation Mitigated by Pregnancy
Current Excursions
Current directive flow of detailed excursions into the scientific unknown is building upon the Burnett lab's collaborative research findings to further studies: "Use of statistical shape modeling to enhance the fluoroscopic evaluation of the bladder" and "One size does not fit all: variability in urinary symptoms and microbial communities." Deep dives are in-the-works to investigate the immune modulation of pelvic floor muscle recovery after birth injury, how diet-induced obesity alters immune environment in pregnancy, and the social transfer of pain. Combining insights across UCSD divisions, departments, and external partners is answering the call for new in-clinic biology-backed approaches to bladder health and pelvic floor disorders.
Research Highlights Making Waves
Understanding the Role of Obesity and Metabolism in Pelvic Floor Disorders
Laparoscopic Urogynecology: Principles and Practice
Urinary microbiota of women with recurrent urinary tract infection: collection and culture methods
Thank you, Dr. Burnett Lab for your progress towards scientific innovation which is improving lives, fulfilling need, and springing hope. To explore more visit: Burnett Lab and Pelvic Health After Birth Program.
