Cell Biology Training Program
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Faculty:
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My research interests include cell signaling between tumor cells and their microenvironment, with a focus on how signals converge to modulate therapeutic response of tumors. We are especially interested in the role of cadherins and catenins in this cell:cell cross-talk and the contribution of these proteins to tumor stem cell phenotype. Our team is also interested in understanding the mechanisms that underlie delayed hematopoietic recovery in bone marrow transplantation settings as a result of dose intensive chemotherapy. These projects focus on deregulation of chemokine gradients, MMP activity, and other factors that modulate the biology of the bone marrow microenvironment and its capacity to support immune system recovery. lgibson@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-1547
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My research interests include understanding the cellular pathological mechanisms involved in cardiac disease states including ischemic heart disease and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Central to our analyses of these pathologies is gaining a better understanding of how different subcellular localities are influenced by disease states, with a particular focus on the mitochondrion. In particular, we are interested in specific submitochondrial areas, such as the inner mitochondrial membrane, which are particularly prone to damage resulting from cardiac pathologies. Projects include biochemical, molecular, and physiological approaches to better understand the specific cellular mechanisms involved in the progression of these diseases. Emphasis is placed upon the development of therapeutic interventions that target specific subcellular loci. Jhollander@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-3683
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My research interests include the molecular mechanisms of cell migration. We are interested in the proteins and subcellular microdomains that are involved in the spatio-temporal regulation of key signaling molecules that control cell motility. We focus on a scaffold protein, caveolin-1, as a regulator of signaling molecules, and a specific kind of lipid rafts, caveolae, as a platform to compartmentalize signaling molecules on cell surface. Our goal is to understand the role of caveolin in spatial organization of cell signaling and directed cell migration. junliu@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-1503
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My interests include developing and implementing techniques for image acquisition and image analysis to support cell biology research projects. I am the director of the Imaging Facility which has resources for imaging intracellular processes in single cells up to small animal imaging. I work with individuals to provide training on the use of our microscopes, as well as assistance with planning experiments and analyzing data sets. My background is in adhesion-dependent cell signaling and cell migration. kmartin@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-6965
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My research interests include signaling pathways in epithelial cells that mediate malignant transformation in vitro, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and/or induction of stem cell properties. We focus upon epithelial cells because this cell type is the origin of common adult human cancers. We focus on two zinc finger transcription factors, KLF4/GKLF and Gli1 as regulators of chromatin structure, gene transcription, cell fate and malignant transformation in epithelial cells. Our goal is to understand their role in tumors such as breast cancer and skin cancer. For identification of new mechanisms we have utilized an artificial epithelial model cell line called RK3E that is genetically tractable. We complement studies in this model by analyzing primary or immortalized epithelial cells, such as mouse keratinocytes or human mammary epithelial cells. Using this approach we have identified the EMT factor, Snail, as an effector of Gli1, and the Notch1 receptor as an effector of KLF4. mruppert@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-5246
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My research interests include signal transduction pathways that control cell migration. I am particularly interested in the regulation of cytoskeletal signaling events by tyrosine kinases and my lab has developed probes to explore signaling events in cells in space and time. In addition, the lab is focused upon the mechanisms through which these signaling events are translated into biological outcomes, e.g. motility. mschaller@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-9514
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Our laboratory is interested in the early malignant biology of the mammary gland and the factors responsible for invasive breast cancer. Of particular priority is the effect of obesity on mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis. We are looking specifically at adipokines (endocrine and cytokine factors released from adipose tissue) and their influence on tumor cell survival pathways, their regulation of tumor angiogenesis, and their importance in metastasis. Our clinical interest is to examine the relationships between obesity and breast cancer prognosis, and to do so in the context of tumor biology as reflected in ER, PR and HER2 expression, insulin resistance and tumor-related angiogenesis. lvdavis@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-1280
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My laboratory is interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern normal and tumor cell movement. We focus on proteins that participate in signaling pathways responsible for regulating the actin cytoskeleton during cell movement, including tyrosine kinases, matrix metalloproteinases and actin-binding proteins. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanistic impact of select post-translational modifications and how they govern actin-binding protein function to promote motility and invasion. sweed@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-0781
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My research interests include the physiology and cell biology of ion channels and large pores. My current focus is on the Sec61 translocon that mediates the co-translational translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We are using a variety of physiological techniques to study the gating and permeation of this unconventional ion channel when it is translationally inactive and its pore is not blocked by a nascent protein. Our goal is to understand how small molecules move through the Sec61 translocon and how the stimulation of this pathway might contribute to the induction of ER stress during the development of neurodegenerative diseases. wwonderlin@hsc.wvu.edu
(304) 293-3159
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