Skip to main content

Associate Professor
UNC-Chapel Hill

Education and Training

Michigan State University, BS, 2002
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, PhD, 2009
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Postdoctoral, 2009-2011
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Research Investigator, 2011-2014

Areas of Interest

My group is focused on the molecular basis of liver diseases and disorders linked to intermediate filament (IF) gene mutations. We use biochemical, cell-based and in vivo approaches to identify potential disease targets and to understand their function and regulation. The major goal of our work is to promote the discovery of pharmacological agents that can slow or halt the progression of these diseases. Our liver-related studies linked liver injury susceptibility to the function of energy metabolism regulators, including the glycolytic enzyme GAPDH and the purine metabolizing enzymes nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) and ecto-5′-nucleotidase CD73. Current efforts in the lab are aimed at understanding the regulation and cell-specific functions of CD73 in various stages of liver disease, including fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our other interests are in the area of IFs and IF-related diseases. IF gene mutations are linked to a vast number of human pathologies, including skin fragility disorders, neuropathies, myopathies, liver diseases, metabolic dysfunctions, and premature aging syndromes. Effective treatments for diseases caused by IF gene mutations are lacking. Our long-term goal is to define the proteostasis network of IF proteins and to identify key features that are compromised by disease-causing or disease-promoting mutations. We are focused on various post-translational modifications (PTMs) and their cross-talk mechanisms.

Awards and Honors

Postdoctoral Translational Scholars Program Award, University of Michigan, 2009-2011

NIH K01 Mentored Research Scientist Development Award, 2011-2016

Research Recognition Award – APS Gastrointestinal & Liver Physiology Section, 2012

NIH R03 Small Research Grant Program, 2014-2016

Affiliations

Curriculum in Cell Biology and Physiology

Snider, Natasha