Molecular Cell Biology

Program affiliation
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Molecular Cell Biology
Human and Statistical Genetics
Plant and Microbial Biosciences

Research summary
Our lab studies hair-like structures on the surface of cells called cilia that act like antennas to process signals essential for development and survival, and beat in rhythmic fashion to remove potentially harmful pathogens. The malfunctioning of cilia or the structure that anchors them to cells – called the basal body – can contribute to the development of chronic kidney and lung diseases, congenital heart defects and other health problems. We have identified numerous genes required for the assembly and proper functioning of cilia in the green alga Chlamydomonas, a model organism, and their counterparts in humans. In collaboration with colleagues at WashU Medicine, we have analyzed the structure of cilia to obtain atomic resolution of many protein complexes. These studies have laid a foundation for improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ciliopathies, including those with polycystic kidney disease, which currently is treated with dialysis; primary ciliary dyskinesia, which causes chronic lung disease, misplaced organs and infertility; Bardet-Biedl syndrome, which leads to blindness in childhood and diabetes, kidney disease and extreme obesity; and many congenital heart defects, which occur when left-right asymmetry goes awry and require complex surgeries to repair

Key words
centrioles, cilia, signal transduction, cytoskeleton, lung disease

Program affiliation
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Neurosciences
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
We aim to understand how metabolism influences epigenetics, gene expression and behavior, particularly in the context of substance use disorders and neurodegeneration

Key words
Metabolism, epigenetics, alcohol, addiction, neurodegeneration, Alzheimer’s

Program affiliation
Molecular Cell Biology
Immunology
Cancer Biology

Research summary
interactions between bone and immune cells in inflammation and cancer

Key words
arthritis, inflammation, cancer, bone metastases, osteoclasts

Program affiliation
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Our lab studies how disease-associated histone mutations disrupt chromatin and epigenetic regulation, contributing to developmental disorders, brain inflammation, and cancer. We take a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemical and genomic assays, molecular genetics, cell biology, and both Drosophila and mouse models to investigate how these mutations impair development and drive tumorigenesis. Current projects focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, cancer-associated histone mutations, chromatin–immune crosstalk, and the discovery of chromatin-associated factors. Through this work, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms of chromatin dysregulation and identify new therapeutic targets.

Key words
Chromatin, Epigenetics, Gene Regulation, Cancer, Developmental Disorders, Brain Inflammation

Program affiliation
Cancer Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Immunology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Research summary
We use both mouse models and patient samples of acute myloid leukemia to understand leukemogenesis and to identify novel therapeutic targets.

Key words

Program affiliation
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Improve obstetric outcomes for women and their neonates by understanding and targeting mechanisms of dysfunctional uterine contractility

Key words

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Exploration of functions for neuron-specific regulators of gene expression, leveraging genes and mechanisms implicated in human neurologic disease to point us toward critical pathways in the brain.

Key words
Epigenetics, Neurodevelopment, Rett syndrome, non-CpG DNA methylation, Transcription, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Neurodevelopmental disease

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate reactive astrocytes and their neurotoxicity in
neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, by utilizing a combination of biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular models of inflammation and mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Key words

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of chronic pain, preclinical and translational research

Key words
pain, optogenetics, ion channel, synaptic transmission, signal transduction, electrophysiology, in vivo imaging, genetics

Program affiliation
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Our lab uses a combination of genetically altered mouse models, metabolic assays, and molecular biology techniques to explore how altered tubular metabolism affects responses to injury (e.g. fibrosis, recovery).

Key words
kidney injury, kidney tubular metabolism, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease