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Cartoon style model of IGF1R activity sequence
BMB PhD Program Research Themes

Cellular Stress and Cell Signaling

Cell stress plays a central role in nearly all human diseases. Understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic causes of cell stress, and the cellular mechanisms that protect cells from stress, are areas of active investigation by faculty in our program. This includes an understanding of the signaling pathways that active cellular stress responses. 

The faculty below have a particular focus in this area. For other major themes, visit our program scope page.

Fred Bunz

Fred Bunz

Stress-activated pathways and anti-cancer therapies

Michael Caterina

Michael Caterina

Molecules and cells that drive chronic pain

Val Culotta

Valeria Culotta

Metal ions & oxygen radicals in biology & disease

Chi Van Dang

Chi Van Dang

Oncogenic alteration of metabolism and immunity

Jennifer Elisseeff

Jennifer Elisseeff

Leveraging adaptive immunity for tissue repair

Daniele Gilkes

Daniele Marie Gilkes

Microenvironmental regulators of metastasis

Jennifer Kavran

Jennifer Kavran

Hippo signaling & protein kinases

Anthony K. L. Leung

Targeting RNA regulation through poly(ADP-ribose)

Michael Matunis

Michael J. Matunis

SUMO functions and effects

Utthara Nayar

Utthara Nayar

Targeting resistant breast and ovarian cancer

Philipp Oberdoerffer

Philipp Oberdoerffer

Epigenetics of genome maintenance

Erika Pearce

Erika L. Pearce

Metabolic signals that regulate immune responses

Kenneth Pienta

Kenneth J. Pienta

Utilizing ecologic principles to study cancer lethality

Joel Pomerantz

Joel L. Pomerantz

Mechanisms of signaling in immunity and cancer

Vito Rebecca

Vito Rebecca

Cancer metastasis, therapy resistance, health disparities 

Dipali Sharma

Dipali Sharma

Cancer: microbial dysbiosis, racial disparities & obesity

Photini Sinnis

Photini Sinnis

Malaria: cell biology & transmission dynamics 

Eneda Toska

Eneda Toska

Epigenetic regulation & therapy response in cancer

Fengyi Wan

Fengyi Wan

Investigating colonic health and diseases

Jiou Wang

Jiou Wang

Protein & RNA homeostasis in neurodegeneration

Ashani Weeraratna

Ashani Weeraratna

Melanoma, aging, and microenvironments 

Carl Wu

Carl Wu

Dynamic regulation of chromatin accessibility