Membrane Biology
Research includes:
- Beta-glucan Synthases
- Bioenergetics
- Cell to Cell Communication
- Cell Wall Synthesis
- Cellular Energetics
- Cellulose Synthases
- Exo/Endocytosis
- Flip-Flop
- Glycoprotein Synthesis
- Glycosyl Transferases
- Golgi Apparatus
- Lateral Diffusion
- Lipid Trafficking
- Membrane Dynamics
- Membrane Microdomains
- Membrane Proteins
- Membrane-Associated Enzymes
- Phase Behavior
- Plant Membranes
- Plant Polysaccharide Synthesis
- Protein Trafficking
- Protein-Lipid Interactions
- Signaling Platforms
- Transmembrane Transport
Training Group Mission:
Students in the Membrane Biology training group are educated in the basic and fundamental understanding of cell membranes, their components and how membrane and membrane-associated processes control numerous cellular functions. In addition, students are involved in the transfer of these discoveries into new therapies, biofunctional materials, beneficial agricultural products, and devices for the treatment of human disease. Students work with a multidisciplinary group of faculty from many departments who employ an extensive range of experimental approaches including biochemistry, neurobiology, molecular biology, structural biology, microscopy, biophysical chemistry, analytical and organic chemistry, and engineering. The study of membranes and membrane proteins is a burgeoning and exciting frontier in the life sciences and recent technical advances in the field make significant progress and discovery possible. Students also have the opportunity to interact with other members of the program through seminar courses and research meetings.
Faculty Membership
Protein trafficking and membrane transport in relation to the processes of cell polarity establishment and carcinogenic transformation
The research in my lab is geared towards understanding the host-pathogen interaction during migration of zoonotic ascarid larvae of the genera, Toxocara and Baylisascaris within the mammalian host. We use a combination of traditional parasitology, molecular biology and "-omics" related tools for identification and characterization of these parasite proteins. Our goal is to lay down a path to develop efficient diagnostics, identify potential vaccine candidates and drug targets to mitigate the effects of these neglected soil-transmitted nematodes.
Synaptic and dendritic integration in vitro and in vivo, sensory integration, two-photon imaging, optogenetics, sub-cellular patch-clamp recordings, nanotechology, bioelectronics
Understanding the regulation of phospholipase C enzymes in cardiovascular disease and cancer through macromolecular structure determination and functional assays.
Structural biology, membrane proteins, protein folding, protein transport across membrane, protein import and trafficking, infectious diseases, pathogenic bacteria, multi-drug resistant bacteria, Gram-negative bacterial pathogens
2) Ceramide-1-phosphate and other sphingolipids signaling in cancers.
3) Zika virus and alteration of host cell lipid metabolism.
4) Disovery of new lipid-binding proteins.
Nervous system development and regeneration following injury, neuronal growth cone motility and guidance, cytoskeletal dynamics, signal transduction, ROS signaling, neuronal mechanics, advanced live cell imaging in vitro and in vivo
Specialization: pharmacogenomics, ion channels, electrophysiology, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), neurological diseases (e.g., chronic pain, epilepsy, and autism)
Student Membership
- Training Groups
- Prospective Faculty
- Biomolecular Structure and Biophysics
- Biotechnology
- Cancer Biology
- Chromatin and Regulation of Gene Expression
- Chemical Biology
- Computational and Systems Biology
- Integrative Neuroscience
- Membrane Biology
- Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
- Plant Biology
