Research in the Department is broad, and includes a training program that encompasses current "state of the art" research that includes investigations on protein phosphorylation, transcriptional
regulation and chromatin modifying
proteins, targeting intracellular signals, ion channel regulation, obesity and
energy metabolism, signal transduction / cell regulation, autophagy hormone
action and biogenesis, molecular basis of therapeutics, membrane transporters, cytoskeleton
structure and function, and development of activators and inhibitors. Important
methodologies and areas of expertise are: proteomics, RNA interference analysis,
protein and phosphoinositide kinases and phosphatases, glycoproteins and
lectins, signaling to the nucleus and gene regulation, structural / functional
studies of membrane transporters and ion channels, differentiation and
development, innate immunity, antitumor drug development and pharmacogenomics.
Target diseases include: diabetes, cancer,
thyroid and cardiac pathogenesis, behavioral disorders, learning and depression,
as well as neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Mouse models are
frequently used in these efforts, as are human-derived specimens so that our
research is at the forefront of translational science. The research program in
the department trains Ph.D. and M.D. / Ph.D. students for independent research
careers. Students are key participants
in our research endeavors and present their research at national meetings,
conferences and symposia.