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Professor, Pharmacology Professor, Biochemistry & Biophysics Director, Structural Biology Center Member, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Research Interests

  • Rho GTPases
  • Dbl-family RhoGEFs
  • Phospholipase C isozymes
  • Drug discovery

Research Synopsis

Our laboratory studies signal transduction systems controlled by heterotrimeric G proteins as well as Ras-related GTPases. The superfamily of GTPases control numerous signaling cascades based upon the regulated binding, hydrolysis, and exchange of guanine nucleotides; GTPases bound to GTP are active in downstream signaling while those bound to GDP are inactive. Mutant GTPases with abnormal GDP/GTP cycling are implicated in numerous human diseases, including cancer. It is our desire to better understand the regulation of heterotrimeric G proteins and Ras-related GTPases at the molecular level with the ultimate goal of using this information to design therapies to correct abnormal signaling mediated by these proteins and thereby treat associated pathologies.

Publications

View complete list of publications in PubMed

  • Phone Number

    919-966-7530 (Office Phone)

  • Address

    120 Mason Farm Rd.

    4060 Genetic Medicine

    CB # 7365

    Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7365