Probing biology and disease
Our cells constantly receive cues from both inside and outside the body, prompted by conditions such as injury, aging, infection, stress or even food.
To adjust to these cues, cells send and receive signals through biological pathways. Our research into the codes and cell changes associated with normal development and aging, and distinguishing them from those linked to disease and disability, will lead to new strategies to protect our health.
Director's statement
We are using model organisms—mice, fish, flies, worms and human stem cells to (1) unravel gene functions linked to mutations and epigenetic factors; (2) explore the development and regenerative capacity of the brain, heart, muscles, pancreas, limbs, liver and other organs; and (3) probe the biology of aging and organ/tissue maintenance to maintain a well-functioning organism. These insights provide the tools needed to uncover novel therapeutic targets for heart disease, neurodegeneration, muscle disorders, diabetes, cancer and other debilitating diseases.
– Rolf Bodmer, Ph.D., Program Director
Appointments
Program Director
Adjunct Appointments
Paul Grossfield, M.D.
Pamela Itkin-Ansari, Ph.D.
Chris Larson, Ph.D.
Keith Murai, Ph.D.
Publications
Age-dependent electrical and morphological remodeling of the Drosophila heart caused by hERG/seizure mutations.
Ocorr K, Zambon A, Nudell Y, Pineda S, Diop S, Tang M, Akasaka T, Taylor E
PLoS Genet 2017 May ;13(5):e1006786
Nuclear Pores Regulate Muscle Development and Maintenance by Assembling a Localized Mef2C Complex.
Raices M, Bukata L, Sakuma S, Borlido J, Hernandez LS, Hart DO, D'Angelo MA
Dev Cell 2017 Jun 5 ;41(5):540-554.e7
Spatiotemporal regulation of autophagy during Caenorhabditis elegans aging.
Chang JT, Kumsta C, Hellman AB, Adams LM, Hansen M
Elife 2017 Jul 4 ;6
The Functional Polymorphism R129W in the <i>BVES</i> Gene Is Associated with Sporadic Tetralogy of Fallot in the Han Chinese Population.
Shi Y, Li Y, Wang Y, Zhuang J, Wang H, Hu M, Mo X, Yue S, Chen Y, Fan X, Chen J, Cai W, Zhu X, Wan Y, Zhong Y, Ye X, Li F, Zhou Z, Dai G, Luo R, Ocorr K, Jiang Z, Li X, Zhu P, Wu X, Yuan W
Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2019 Aug 6 ;
Changes in nuclear and cytoplasmic microRNA distribution in response to hypoxic stress.
Turunen TA, Roberts TC, Laitinen P, Väänänen MA, Korhonen P, Malm T, Ylä-Herttuala S, Turunen MP
Sci Rep 2019 Jul 17 ;9(1):10332
Proinsulin misfolding is an early event in the progression to type 2 diabetes.
Arunagiri A, Haataja L, Pottekat A, Pamenan F, Kim S, Zeltser LM, Paton AW, Paton JC, Tsai B, Itkin-Ansari P, Kaufman RJ, Liu M, Arvan P
Elife 2019 Jun 11 ;8
The viral protein corona directs viral pathogenesis and amyloid aggregation.
Ezzat K, Pernemalm M, Pålsson S, Roberts TC, Järver P, Dondalska A, Bestas B, Sobkowiak MJ, Levänen B, Sköld M, Thompson EA, Saher O, Kari OK, Lajunen T, Sverremark Ekström E, Nilsson C, Ishchenko Y, Malm T, Wood MJA, Power UF, Masich S, Lindén A, Sandberg JK, Lehtiö J, Spetz AL, El Andaloussi S
Nat Commun 2019 May 27 ;10(1):2331
Nuclear Pore Complexes Are Key Regulators of Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Function.
Raices M, D'Angelo MA
Neuron 2019 May 8 ;102(3):509-511