Available Positions

The rotation will be focused on aspects of tissue remodeling - from molecular imaging to drug design

Rotation: 
1st
2nd
3rd
Area: 
Chemistry
Life Sciences
Sunday, October 17, 2021

Thinking outside the cell.

While most biological research centers on what goes on inside the cell, we look at what goes on outside the cell. Our lab focuses on the cell microenvironment which includes the extracellular matrix; a collection of extracellular molecules secreted by cells that provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells (ECM) and multifunctional neighboring cells. We have found that ECM enzymes, which can induce morphological changes in the matrix, affect cellular programming. This provides us with significant opportunities to influence cellular programming and interfere in disease processes that affect intimate cellular communications at the very near microenvironment of cancer and inflammatory cells. Our lab focuses on the cell microenvironment which includes the extracellular matrix; a collection of extra-cellular molecules secreted by cells that provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells(ECM) and multifunctional neighboring cells. We have found that ECM enzymes, which can induce morphological changes in the matrix, affect cellular programming. This provides us with significant opportunities to influence cellular programming and interfere in disease processes that affect intimate cellular communications at the very near microenvironment of cancer and inflammatory cells.