MPPB Faculty
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- Wayne Bowen
- Dept Chair, Professor of Biology, Co-director of MPP Graduate Program
- We study sigma receptors, proteins found throughout the body. They bind several classes of psychoactive drugs. Activation of sigma-2 receptors causes programmed cell death (apoptosis). We are trying to understand the underlying more>> mechanisms for this. Because they are highly expressed in cancer cells, we are targeting sigma-2 receptors for development of new antineoplastic agents. Also, antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol damage neurons via sigma-2 receptors. Blocking sigma-2 receptors might prevent the irreversible motor side effects caused by typical neuroleptic agents.
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- Eric Darling
- Assistant Professor of Medical Science
- The goal of the Darling lab is to understand the relationship between the biological function of cells and tissues and their micro/nano-scale mechanical properties. We investigate these characteristics via atomic force microscopy, a more>> technique that allows high resolution imaging and force measurements. Recent findings suggest that cells exhibit distinct mechanical biomarkers, which could help identify specific cell types within heterogenous populations (i.e. metastatic cancer cells, stem cells).
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- Chi-Ming Hai
- Professor
- Our research is concerned with how mechanical force and deformation modulate airway smooth muscle responsiveness and remodeling. We take an integrative approach to this research area by performing experiments from muscle mechanics to gene more>> expression.
• Systems Biology of Inflammatory Gene Expression in Airway Smooth Muscle
• Regulation of Podosome Dynamics in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
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- Edward Hawrot
- Alva O. Way University Professor of Medical Science
- We pursue biochemical and pharmacological studies aimed at understanding the fundamental structure-function relationship of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). We also study the molecular basis for the highly specific recognition more>> of muscle-type nAChRs by certain snake venom-derived toxins classified as alpha-neurotoxins. More recently, we have used homologous recombination techniques to construct a knock-in mouse in which the alpha3 gene encoding one subtype of neuronal nAChRs has been minimally mutated to impart pharmacological sensitivity to the classic nicotinic antagonist, alpha-bungarotoxin. These mice should enable a systematic determination of the role of alpha3-containing nAChRs in behavior and nervous system function.
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- Diane Hoffman-Kim
- Associate Professor
- The goal of the Hoffman-Kim laboratory is to understand axon guidance in complex environments and inform biomaterial and tissue engineering strategies for promoting nerve regeneration. We apply engineering techniques to biological systems more>> in vitro to challenge growing neurons with multiple guidance cues, including diffusible factors, substrate-bound molecules, electrical cues, and topographical surface features.
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- Julie Kauer
- Professor
- My laboratory focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms involved in synaptic plasticity and modulation of neuronal excitability using modern electrophysiological techniques in brain slices. Our work is related to understanding more>> fundamental processes in memory and in drug addiction.
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- Michael Lysaght
- Professor (Research)
- Professor Lysaght's area of specialization is the therapeutic application of synthetic membranes and other barrier materials in hemodialysis, apheresis, and tissue engineering. He also studies the complex interplay of technology, more>> economics, and public policy in shaping contemporary and emerging organ-replacement therapies and has recently described this in several influential publications.
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- John Marshall
- Professor
- In response to hormonal or synaptic stimulation, excitable cells (including smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and neurons) undergo a diversity of changes in their electrical properties. My lab is studying the trafficking and localization of more>> glutamate receptors and calcium channels to synapses, and their modulation by protein kinases.
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- Edith Mathiowitz
- Professor
- Research in our laboratory focuses on the polymer science-medicine interface. Areas of interest include development and modeling of novel drug delivery systems, particularly for the release of insulin and growth factors; designing more>> small-diameter vascular grafts with better compliance; development of novel bioadhesive polymers for oral delivery systems; liquid crystals as smart sensors; the use of nanoparticles as novel therapeutic delivery systems (nanomedicine), tissue markings, DNA delivery.
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- Jeffrey Morgan
- Associate Professor of Medical Science and Engineering CoDirector Center for Biomedical Engineering
- Research in the lab is focused on understanding the molecular and cellular biology of the skin with an eye towards new therapeutic approaches to wound healing, the repair of the skin and the improvement in the performance of percutaneous more>> medical devices. We are also working on novel devices containing living cells to profile gene expression, monitor the toxicity of nanomaterials, and to study the dynamics of the cell adhesion process.
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- Elena Oancea
- Assistant Professor of Medical Science
- The focus of my laboratory is in understanding signal transduction events using fluorescent microscopy in living cells. My lab is equipped with a state-of-the-art two-color TIRF microscope, which we will use to study UV-induced more>> pigmentation in human skin and melanoma behavior. To visualize signal transduction events, we design and generate novel fluorescent probes using molecular biology techniques, which give us a unique angle in answering biologically relevant questions.
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- Wolfgang Peti
- Assistant Professor of Medical Science
- The focus of my research group is to understand the molecular basis of PP1 regulation. We combine the information derived from biomolecular NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and additional biophysical techniques, such as ITC, DSC, more>> Biacore, and CD spectroscopy to undertsand how PP1 is targeted, regulated and inhibited in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, my research group is pursuing the production and the structure elucidation of membrane proteins and protein essential for the formation of bacterial biofilms.
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- Anita L. Zimmerman
- Professor
- Our research is in molecular and cellular aspects of the nervous system, with an emphasis on ion channels and the early stages of vision in rods and cones. An ion channel is a membrane protein with an internal pore that opens in response more>> to chemical and electrical signals, allowing passage of specific ions such as sodium and calcium. Ion channels are critically involved in functions as diverse as nerve impulses in the brain, the beating of the heart, visual perception, muscle contraction, learning and memory, hormone secretion and embryonic development. They are also the targets of many drugs, such as those used to treat pain and heart disease. Genetic defects in ion channels can cause devastating diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.
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Biomed Division
MPPB Faculty
Providence, RI 02912