The faculty of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology have a broad range of research interests. A succinct synopsis of each faculty member's interests is provided below. Visit the individual homepages for detailed descriptions of their research, recent publications, and additional information about their laboratory.
 
 
 
• Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty
• Non-Tenure Track Faculty
• Joint Faculty
 
 
 
 
 

Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty

  
 

 
Dr. Bankaitis' laboratory is involved in the molecular characterization of novel signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells that interface with neurodegeneration, cellular differentiation and membrane trafficking. They bring modern approaches to analysis of these issues, and such approaches include molecular biology, protein and lipid biochemistry, immunofluorescence microscopy, mouse gene knockout technology, and classical and molecular genetics in model organisms such as mice and yeast.
  
 
 

 
My lab focuses on actin-based cell motility. Actin-based motility is a key component in many cellular processes relevant to clinical problems such as cancer metastasis, birth defects and compromised immune function. We are using both molecule-based and unbiased genetic/proteomic approaches to understand the fundamental problem of cell migration and other aspects of actin-based motility. We utilize the techniques of high-resolution live cell microscopy, biochemistry, gene silencing/disruption and other molecular manipulations to uncover some of the underlying mechanisms of cell motility.
  

 
 

 
Dr. Beckers' research revolves around the human protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This organism can cause severe disease in individuals with a defective immune system or during pregnancy. In addition, it is also used as a model system for study of the closely related malaria parasite, Plasmodium. Both organisms are obligate intracellular parasites of animals and have evolved numerous unique regulatory and structural elements to penetrate and survive inside animal cells. We are concentrating our efforts on two general areas of Toxoplasma gondii cell biology: essential signaling pathways in the parasite and the structure, assembly, and function of its membrane skeleton.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Brenman's laboratory focuses on the use of molecular genetics to identify genes of interest and their signaling pathways.  The functions of these molecules are then further characterized using Biochemistry and Cell Biology including proteomics and confocal microscopy.  In particular the lab is studying AMP-activated protein kinase a proposed energy sensor hypothesized to have a therapeutic role in Type 2 diabetes and cancer.  Mutations in this gene also produce neurodegeneration phenotypes.  The lab uses primarily Drosophila genetics but also mouse knockout models when appropriate.
  
 

 

 
Dr. Brennwald's laboratory is interested in the mechanism by which eukaryotic cells are polarized. In particular they are interested in the polarization of the plasma membrane and the role of vesicle transport plays in the determination and regulation of cell polarity.
  
 

 

 
Dr. Burridge's laboratory is interested in the signaling that occurs downstream from integrin-mediated focal adhesions and cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions. Much of our effort is directed at understanding Rho family GTPases, how these regulate adhesion and the cytoskeleton and how their activity is, in turn, regulated by adhesion and other factors.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Carson's research interests are in the development and pathology of the epithelial component of the conducting airways. The epithelial lining of the respiratory airways represents one of the first sites of interaction of the ambient environment with a major organ system. A unique primary defense mechanism, mucociliary clearance, represents the first line of defense to inhaled potentially injurious particulates and infectious agents. Exposure to air pollutants, viral and bacterial infection, and congenital conditions may compromise the effective development and function of this highly balanced but vulnerable system. Dr. Carson's work focuses specifically on structure/function relationships of ciliated cells, one of the cellular components of the mucociliary escalator.
  
 

 

 
Dr. Costello's laboratory is examining the intercellular junctions between fibers in normal and cataractous lenses using light and electron microscopy. The goal is to determine the basis for normal lens transparency and the cellular changes that occur in aging and cataract formation.
  
 

 

 
Dr. Cyr's laboratory endeavors to define the basic principles of chaperone assisted protein folding and degradation in eukaryotic cells. They seek to gain a mechanistic understanding of how defective protein folding causes cystic fibrosis and neurodegeneration. Model systems the Cyr group utilizes to study protein triage include cultured cells, yeast and purified components. The information obtained is being utilized to design screens for small molecules that correct disease related protein folding abnormalities.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Deshmukh's research interests are in understanding how mammalian cells undergo programmed cell death during development and disease. His laboratory studies the signaling pathways and the molecular events that induce apoptosis, with a specific interest in identifying unique aspects of this pathway in various primary cells such as neurons, cardiomyocytes, myotubes, and stem cells, as well as in cancer cells.
  
 
 

 
Metamorphosis is a dynamic, endocrinologically-controlled process that occurs in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In insects, the hormones involved are the juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid families. Current work in this lab is focusing on (1) how the juvenile hormones control metamorphosis by altering the receptor for the ecdysteroids and 2) how the production of the juvenile hormones is controlled by the neurotransmitter dopamine.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Hammond's research revolves around the phenomenon of RNA interference, or RNAi. This amazing biological process that began as an oddity in C.elegans is impacting virtually all experimental systems, including cultured human cells, and Drosophila, C.elegans, and plant genetics.
  
 
 

 
Membrane dynamics: The study of lipid rafts in model and biomembranes using new biophysical techniques for light microscopy. Cell migration: The study of how component activities [protrusion, adhesion and contractility] and their molecular origins are integrated to produce the forces that move and shape the cell.
  
 
 

 
The Lauder lab studies neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) as regulatory signals in embryonic and postnatal development, using in vivo and in vitro animal models, including sea urchins and mice. Effects of prenatal exposure to drugs or environmental agents on brain development and behavior are investigated in mutant mouse models for the role of gene-environment interactions in developmental disorders, like autism. Sea urchin embryos and larvae, which are highly sensitive to drugs and neurotoxins that target “pre-nervous” neurotransmitters, are used as biosensors for deleterious effects of prenatal exposures on early development, prior to formation of the nervous system. Studies are currently underway to investigate mechanisms underlying developmental defects caused by exposure of sea urchin embryos/larvae to drugs and neurotoxins that target serotonin and cannabinoid receptors/transporters. Mutant mouse models for Fragile X Syndrome, are also being utilized to develop pharmacotherapeutic strategies for treatment of social behavioral deficits, a hallmark of autism, in this developmental disorder.
  
 
 

 
The Milgram lab is interested in identifying mechanisms that target hormone receptors to the apical cell surface and in identifying protein interactions that coordinate signaling from these receptors. Specifically, we want to understand how apical membrane receptors regulate cell function, including changes in gene expression, and changes in the activity of apical membrane ion channels (for example, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel). Although much of our recent work focused on the airway epithelium, we speculate that the pathways and mechanisms we identify in airway will play important roles in other epithelia and we are now developing other epithelial model systems in the lab.
  
 
 

 
The O’Brien lab investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate spermatogenesis, sperm motility and fertilization. Our studies use the male reproductive system as a model to investigate fundamental processes that control differentiation. In terms of human health, the long-term goal of these studies is to provide new insights for the development of contraceptives, the clinical management of infertility, and the assessment of reproductive toxicants in the male.
  
 
 

 

Dr. O'Rand is a professor in the Department and a member of the Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, a campus wide core facility and training program in reproductive biology.

The long-term goal of our research is to define a set of sperm molecules that are necessary for one or more steps in the fertilization process. Characterization of these molecules will allow the definition of precise targets for both infertility diagnosis and contraception.

  
 
 

 
Effects of hormones on brain and reproductive system.
  
 
 

 
The focus of research in the Rustioni laboratory is on glutamate receptors and an understanding of how different subunits of the receptors may contribute to define the quality of somesthesic stimulus, i.e. pain, touch, etc. Dr. Rustioni is especially interested, at the moment, also in the issue of presynaptic glutamate receoptors in primary afferent terminals in the spinal cord. For this research they use primarily immunocytochemistry on sections of the spinal cord and imaging for multiple, simultaneous labelling for transmitters, receptors, and selective functional markers.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Schaller's research interests are in the areas of signal transduction and the regulation of cell growth, survival and motility in both normal cells and cancer. Of particular interest, are signal transduction events regulated by tyrosine kinases and phosphatases following cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Multiple strategies, including molecular, biochemical, proteomic, structural, cell biology and animal model approaches, are being applied in his lab to determine the mechanism of action of these signaling molecules in normal cells and their role in the development of cancer.
  
 
 

 
Research in Dr. Sulik's laboratory focuses on the pathogenesis and mechanisms underlying birth defects induced by environmental and genetic factors. Of particular interest has been identification of selectively vulnerable cell populations and mechanistic studies directed toward determining the basis for their sensitivity to teratogenesis.
  
 
 

 
Research in the Wang lab is aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms of that regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. In particular, we are interested in the transcriptional control of muscle gene expression as well as miRNA-mediate gene regulation. We use vertebrate cardiovascular system and muscle cells as our model system.
  
 
 

 
G-proteins are activated by a family of cell surface receptors, known as G protein-coupled receptors, that are regulated by diverse environmental signals, including hormones, neurotransmitters, and sensory stimuli. G protein activity in cells is ultimately determined by the level of receptor stimulation and by mechanisms that contribute to inhibition of G protein signaling. My laboratory is interested in understanding the regulation of signal turnoff for G protein-coupled receptor pathways.
  
 
 
 
 

Non-Tenure Track Faculty
 

 
Dr. Alb utilizes gene knockout technology in both cells and mice to study a class of proteins called phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs). These proteins are thought to play key roles in lipid signaling events in the nucleus, Golgi, and cell surface. The knockout experiments Dr. Alb has performed to date have led to a new understanding of the roles these proteins play both cellularly and in whole animal studies.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Boukhelifa's section is under construction.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Chen's research interests are directed toward achieving a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with ethanol-induced birth defects. Using mice as a model system, Dr. Chen has identified selected cell populations that are particularly vulnerable to insult at specific embryonic developmental stages.
  
 
 
 
Cystic fibrosis is a disease of defective epithelial salt and fluid transport that is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR functions as a chloride channel in the apical membrane of epithelial cells and also regulates other ion channels. Dr. Gentzsch studies the biosynthetic processing and intracellular trafficking of CFTR. Of particular interest is the trafficking of the most common mutant protein in cystic fibrosis (DF508 CFTR) that is retained at the ER but can escape and proceed to the Golgi and plasma membrane by growth of cells at reduced temperature or other manipulations.
  
 

homepage

 

  
 
 

Dr. Gilliland studies the normal human lens as well as age-related nuclear cataracts using confocal and electron microscopy. He also co-directs "Structure and Development" and teaches "Integrative Function and Its Cellular Basis".

  
   
 

 
Dr. Gordon is a Research Associate Professor in the Cell and Molecular Imaging Facility.
  
   
 
 
Dr Kernick teaches human anatomy and neuroanatomy to the first year medical, dental and physical therapy students. He is particularly interested in how the central nervous system modulates motor control of limb muscles.
  
 
 

 
Many sperm antigens have been isolated and proposed to perform the crucial function of binding spermatozoa to the extracellular matrix, the zona pellucida, of the occyte but few have stood up to close scrutiny. Dr. Lea is interested in studying sperm surface proteins and defining what role these may play in fertilization. Specifically she is studying the protein Sp17, a sperm autoantigenic protein that can bind heparin at the cell surface.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Levitch teaches gross anatomy to medical, dental, and physical therapy students.
  
 
 
 

Using a combination of molecular genetics, biochemistry, cell biological and embryological techniques, my research focuses on development of the cardiovascular system. Current work explores the role of the scaffolding protein/transcriptional co-activator YAP in early development of blood vessels and the placenta.

For more information, please see my website.

  
 

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Dr. Osawa's research studies the regulatory mechanisms of signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptors using the visual system as a model. His research addresses the reasons for differences in signal termination observed for rods and cones by examining the biochemical properties of the proteins involved in phototransduction in both cell types.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Richardson uses molecular biology to study mammalian fertilization and factors originating from the testis and epididymis that play roles in gamete recognition and fertilization. Current studies involve NASP, a cell-cycle regulated protein involved in histone storage and/or transport in the testis and somatic cells.
  
 
 

 
Dr. Valtschanoff's primary research interest is in elucidating the role of vanilloid receptors (TRPV) in the mediation of pain perception in the dorsal horn of mammals. Recently, this line of research has expanded to include the study of nociception in animal models of cystitis and arthritis. Other interests include amino acid neurotransmitters and receptors, nitric oxide, the molecular organization of the postsynaptic density and the functional role of the protein palladin in reactive astrocytes and glial scar formation after injury to the central nervous system.
  
 
 
Patrick Vincent
 
Dr. Vincent's section is under construction
 
 

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Dr. Weinberg's research concerns the organization of synapses in the central nervous system. Focusing on excitatory synapses, Dr. Weincberg has developed quantitative techniques to identify different types of glutamate receptors to explore how changes in these receptors may be involved in synaptic plasticity.
  
 
 
 
Dr. Weinreb’s research interests focus on mathematical and computer analysis/modeling of biological processes.  In particular, the CMAP (Causal MAPping), a systems biology graphical network approach, is used to analyze cortical oscillations of spreading cells and other cell phenomena.
  
 
 
 
 

Joint Faculty
 

 
Dr. Ostrowski’s research interests are broadly focused on the role of ciliated airway epithelial cells in health and disease. Project areas include the regulation of ciliated cell differentiation and gene expression, the identification of novel ciliary proteins by both molecular biology and proteomics approaches, the regulation of ciliary beat frequency, gene therapy approaches for cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia, and the response of ciliated cells to inhaled toxins or pathogens.
  
 
 

 
The Patterson laboratory uses molecular, genetic, and physiologic approaches to ask questions regarding events that underlie the processes of angiogenesis, vascular development, cardiac failure, and atherosclerosis. Our laboratory employs a wide range of methods, including standard molecular techniques, gene discovery applications, genetically modified animals, and microphysiologic techniques. We have a particular interest in understanding the genes that regulate angiogenesis, identifying stress-responsive genes that modify cardiac function, and characterizing oxidative pathways in atherogenesis.
  
 
 

 

 

 
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